August is always a special month in the sky because the Perseid meteor shower, probably the year’s best, happens during the month. Although Perseid meteors will be seen all month, they will peak during the night of the 12th and especially during the early morning of the 13th. No experience or equipment is needed to observe meteors – all you need are your naked eyes and some bug spray. Also, since the Moon will be at the first quarter phase, it will set before midnight and should not interfere with observing meteors. If it is an issue, put the Moon behind you and shield it behind a tree or building.

The shower is called the Perseid meteor shower because, while meteors will be seen all over the sky, if their trails are traced backward, they will seem to have come from the constellation Perseus (the Hero). Perseus will rise in the north-northeastern sky in the early evening, pass higher in the northeast during the night, and be overhead by dawn. It can be confirmed by using Cassiopeia (the Queen). This northern constellation looks like a 5-star tilted W or 3 during August evenings. If you count its stars starting with the upper or western end being star 1, a line from star 3 through star 4 will lead to close by Perseus. To me, Perseus looks like a glob of fairly bright stars, but others see a ragged K or a fleur-de-lis. The meteors will seem to originate from that part of Perseus that is closest to Cassiopeia. The cause for the large number of Perseid meteors is that Earth will be passing through the debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the Sun. This year’s show may be especially strong because the comet is on its way to returning to the inner solar system in about a year, so there should be more debris for the Earth to plow through.

Perseus is called “the hero” because he rescued Andromeda (the Princes) from being sacrificed to Cetus (the Sea Monster) as punishment because her mother, Cassiopeia, had boasted that she (not Andromeda) was more beautiful than the sea nymphs (minor sea goddesses). This is a terrible story, but it does teach the moral lesson that one should not boast.

Also during August, the orbital motion of Earth will (finally) bring Saturn into the evening sky. It will rise in the east at about 11 p.m. in early August and about 9 p.m. by the end of the month. It will be in a dim part of the sky, so its steady, bright yellowish glow will be unmistakable. The only bright star in this part of the sky will be Fomalhaut in Piscis Austrinus (the Southern Fish) that will be to the lower right of Saturn after it is well up. Meanwhile, during the mornings of August 13-16, faster orbiting Mars will pass very close to slower Jupiter. This will be an unforgettable sight that you will be able to see while you are up late or up early to see the Perseid meteors. They will rise at about 2 a.m. and be high in the sky by dawn.

August Observing Highlights

-Aug 10: Star Party sponsored by Grout Museum & Black Hawk Astronomy Club, Prairie Grove Park, Waterloo, 9-10:30 p.m. The Moon will be to the upper left of the bright star Spica in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden).

-Aug 12: The Perseid meteor shower will peak in the late evening and early morning of the 13th. You may see an average of a meteor a minute. Also, Mars will be very close to Jupiter after they rise at about 2:00 on the 13th.

-Aug 13: The Moon will seem to almost touch Antares, the bright reddish heart of Scorpius (the Scorpion).

-Aug 14: Bright Mars will be at its closest to even brighter Jupiter as it passes to the north (above) the slower orbiting planet. They will rise at about 2:00 and be high in the sky by dawn.

-Aug 20: The almost full Moon will be very close to Saturn. Look for them as they rise at about 9:00 before the Moon’s bright glare obscures Saturn.

-Aug 27: After they rise at about 1 a.m., the Moon will be close to the upper left of brilliant Jupiter and farther above Mars.

-Aug 28: The Moon will have moved in its orbit and will be to the left of Mars and farther to the lower left of Jupiter. Notice how far Mars has moved away from Jupiter in two weeks.