By Heather Durham | July 31, 2024
August 2024 promises to be an exciting month for stargazers, with two particularly noteworthy events capturing our attention.
The Blue Moon, occurring on August 19, is not actually blue in color but rather a name given to the third full moon in a season with four full moons. This rare occurrence happens about once every two to three years, making it a special treat for lunar enthusiasts. The term “once in a blue moon” stems from this infrequent event, adding a touch of magic to our night sky.
However, the crown jewel of August’s celestial offerings is undoubtedly the Perseid meteor shower. Peaking on the night of August 12-13, this spectacular display is renowned for its bright, fast meteors and high hourly rates. With the moon setting at midnight, the early morning hours will provide optimal viewing conditions, potentially treating observers to up to 100 meteors per hour. This celestial fireworks show is a must-see event for astronomy lovers and casual stargazers alike!
August 3: Look for a beautiful crescent moon near Venus in the early morning sky, creating a stunning celestial pair.
August 8: The new moon provides ideal dark sky conditions for observing deep-sky objects and the Milky Way.
August 11-13: The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak, offering a dazzling display of shooting stars across the night sky.
August 14: Mars and Jupiter form a close conjunction in the pre-dawn sky, appearing less than half a degree apart – a rare and visually striking event.
August 19: The Blue Sturgeon Moon graces our sky, marking the third full moon of the summer season.
August 21: Keep an eye out for a close approach between the nearly full moon and Saturn, creating a captivating pairing in the night sky.
August 28: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS may become visible to the naked eye as it approaches its closest point to the Sun, offering a potential rare cometary spectacle.
These celestial events promise to make August 2024 a thrilling month for skygazing. Remember to find dark locations away from city lights for the best viewing experiences!
References:
American Meteor Society. (2024). Meteor shower calendar. Retrieved from www.amsmeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar/
Dobrijevic, D. (2023). Nine dazzling celestial events to watch in 2024. Retrieved from www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/nine-dazzling-celestial-events-to-watch-in-2024-180983505/
Time and Date AS. (2024). Astronomical events 2024. Retrieved from www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/sights-to-see.html
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