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.

Andromeda can be seen low in the north east at sunset, rising higher and moving southwards as the night goes on. As sunrise is later at the end of the month, it reaches a higher point before disappearing at the end of the month. The closest galaxy to ours lies within this constellation, and is named Andromeda after it.

Aquila the Eagle is visible high in the south just after sunset, and sets gradually towards the west over the course of the night. Best views will be at the beginning of the month, when it appears at a higher point in the evening. Look for its brightest star, Altair, which forms one vertex of the Summer Triangle asterism.

Cygnus the Swan can be seen high in the sky all night, making its way from east to west. Best views will be around 01:00 BST at the beginning of the month and 23:00 BST at the end of the month, when Cygnus reaches its highest point due south. Cygnus contains the asterism of the Northern Cross, and its brightest star Deneb forms one vertex of the Summer Triangle.

Planets

Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Mars can be seen in the eastern morning sky, rising around 00:30 BST and disappearing at sunrise. Best views will be just before dawn when it is at its highest. Sunrise occurs later at the end of the month, so Mars will be better seen and higher in the sky at this time rather than the beginning of the month. It will have a close approach with Jupiter on the 14^th, and be at conjunction with the Moon on the 28^th.

Jupiter can be seen in the eastern morning sky, closing following Mars’ path. It will rise around 00:30 BST and disappear at sunrise. Best views will be just before dawn when it is at its highest. Sunrise occurs later at the end of the month, so Jupiter will be better seen and higher in the sky at this time rather than the beginning of the month. It will have a close approach with Mars on the 14^th, and be at conjunction with the Moon on the 27^th.

Saturn can be seen all night, low above the southern horizon. It rises just after sunset and moves across the south during the course of the night. Best views will be just before dawn at the beginning of the month, or around 02:00 BST at the end of the month, when Saturn will be at its highest point due south. It will have a close approach with the Moon on the 21^st.

Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It rises in the eastern sky about 00:20 BST at the beginning of the month, but rises earlier towards the end of the month, making its way higher towards the south over the course of the night. Best views will be just before dawn at the end of the month, when it is at its highest.

Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It rises just after sunset in the east and follows Saturn’s path across the southern sky during the night. Best views will be just before dawn at the beginning of the month, or around 02:30 BST at the end of the month, when Neptune will be at its highest point due south. It will undergo lunar occultation on the 21^st.

Meteor Showers

The Perseids reach their peak on the 12^th. The radiant (apparent origin point of the meteors) is in the constellation of Perseus. This constellation is circumpolar, so meteors will be visible all through the night. Best views will be just before dawn, as Perseus reaches its highest point after sunrise. You will be able to see up to 143 meteors per hour.

The κ-Cygnids reach their peak on the 17^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 through the night. Best views will be around 22:00 BST when Draco is at its highest in the sky. You will be able to see about 2 meteors per hour.

The Aurigids reach their peak on the 31^st. The radiant (apparent origin point of the meteors) will be in the constellation of Auriga. This constellation is circumpolar, so meteors will be visible all through the night. Best views will be just before dawn as Auriga reaches its highest point after sunrise. You will be able to see about 5 meteors per hour.

Moon

Full Moon: 19^th

Last Quarter: 26^th

New Moon: 4^th

First Quarter: 12^th

The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 21^st and apogee, its furthest point on the 9^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 18^th and perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on the 6^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will have a close approach with the Pleiades (M45) on the 26^th. The pair will be visible in the constellation of Taurus and close enough to view with a telescope as well as with the naked eye or binoculars.

Points of Interest

Asteroid 16 Psyche will be at opposition on the 6^th. It will be in the constellation of Capricornus and will be visible between 00:04 and 02:07 BST. Best views will be around 01:06 BST when it reaches its highest point. You will need at least a 4-inch telescope to see this.

Asteroid 7 Iris will be at opposition on the 6^th. It will be in the constellation of Aquarius and will be visible between 22:31 and 03:29 BST. Best views will be around 01:00 BST when it reaches its highest point. You will need at least a 4-inch telescope to see this.

The globular cluster Messier 15 is well placed for observation on the 14^th. It will be in the constellation of Pegasus and is visible all night. Best views will be when it reaches its highest point in the sky around 01:04 BST. You will need a pair of binoculars or small telescope to see this.

The globular cluster Messier 2 is well placed for observation on the 15^th. It lies in the constellation of Aquarius and is visible all night. Best views will be when it reaches its highest point in the sky around 01:04 BST. You will need a small telescope to see this.

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

Last updated: 23^rd July.