Woking Planetarium

Read our August sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!

Map

Constellations

These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.

Aquila the Eagle appears in the south at sunset and makes its way across the sky towards the west during the course of the night. It disappears at dawn just above the western horizon. It will be best seen just after sunset when it is highest in the sky. The brightest star Altair forms the head of the Eagle.

Aquarius the Water-bearer can be seen on the south eastern horizon at sunset, becoming fully visible after midnight at the beginning of the month and moving across the southern sky. It disappears in the south west at dawn. As the month goes on, it appears higher at sunset and becomes fully visible earlier. Saturn can be seen in the centre of Aquarius this month.

Cygnus the Swan appears high in the eastern sky and moves across the southern sky towards the west where it disappears at dawn. Best views will be around midnight when it appears high in the south. The brightest star Deneb forms the head of the Swan.

Planets

Mercury will not be visible this month, as it reaches its highest point during daytime and stays below the horizon during darkness hours. It will be at dichotomy (half-phase) and greatest elongation east on the 9^th.

Venus will not be visible this month, as it reaches its highest point during daytime and stays below the horizon during darkness hours.

Mars will not be visible this month, as it reaches its highest point during daytime and stays below the horizon during darkness hours.

Jupiter rises in the east around midnight and moves higher towards the south during the night. It will be best visible before dawn when it is highest in the sky. It will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 8^th.

Saturn can be seen in the constellation of Aquarius this month, rising in the east at sunset and staying low in the southern sky before disappearing in the west at dawn. It will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 3^rd and 30^th, and at opposition on the 27^th.

Uranus can be seen close to Jupiter this month. It rises in the north east and rises higher towards the south as the night goes on. It will be best seen just before dawn when it is highest in the sky. Uranus enters retrograde motion on the 29^th. Uranus is best seen with binoculars or a telescope.

Neptune rises in the north east and rises higher towards the south as the night goes on. It will be best seen just before dawn when it is highest in the sky. Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye.

Meteor Showers

The Perseids reach their peak on the 13^th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Perseus. This constellation is circumpolar, so meteors will be visible all night. Best views will be just before dawn as Perseus reaches its highest point after dawn. You will be able to see around 143 meteors per hour.

The κ-Cygnids reach their peak on the 18^th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Draco. This constellation is circumpolar, so meteors will be visible all night. Best views will be around 22:00 when Draco is highest in the sky. You will be able to see around 2 meteors per hour.

Moon

Full Moon: 1^st, 31^st (blue moon)

Last Quarter: 8^th

New Moon: 16^th

First Quarter: 24^th

The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 2^nd and 30^th and apogee, its furthest point on the 16^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 29^th and perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on the 18^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will have a close approach with M45 (The Pleiades) on the 9^th. It will be visible soon after the Moon rises at 23:18 in the constellation of Taurus. They will be visible with the naked eye or binoculars, but are too far apart to fit within the field of view of a telescope.

Points of Interest

Asteroid 10 Hygeia reaches opposition on the 10^th. It will be well placed in the constellation of Aquarius and visible between 23:17 and 02:50. Best views will be around midnight when Aquarius will be at its highest point.

Messier 15 will be well placed for viewing around the 15^th. It reaches its highest point in the constellation of Pegasus on the 14^th around midnight and is visible all night.

Messier 2 is well placed for viewing around the 16^th. It reaches its highest point in the constellation of Aquarius on the 15^th around midnight and is visible all night.

Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.

Last updated: 23^rd July.