Don't Miss These Astronomical Events in August 2024
In August, you have the chance to witness four of the 12 best astronomy events of 2024! Even better, these events are accessible to all levels of observers and don't require any special equipment. Read on for a detailed forecast of celestial wonders for August 2024. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the night with the best viewing conditions for your location.
Contents
- Astronomical events in August 2024
- Planets in August 2024
- Constellations in August 2024
- Meteor showers in August 2024
- Blue Supermoon in August 2024
- Large planetary alignment on August 28, 2024
- Very close conjunction of Mars-Jupiter on August 14, 2024
- Comets in August 2024
- How to navigate the night sky?
- Bottom line: Celestial events in August 2024
Astronomical events in August 2024
The event dates are given in Greenwich Mean Time, so the dates may vary for different time zones. To determine the exact time of the event at your specific location, use the Sky Tonight app.
- August 2: Moon passes 1°48' from Pollux (mag 1.2).
- August 4: New Moon; Mars (mag 0.9) passes 4°54' from Aldebaran (mag 0.9); Venus (mag -3.8) passes 1°0' from Regulus (mag 1.4).
- August 5: Moon passes 1°42' from Venus (mag -3.8), 2°54' from Regulus (mag 1.4). 🌟
- August 7: Moon passes 3°05' from Mercury (mag 1.9).
- August 8: Venus (mag -3.8) passes 5°46' from Mercury (mag 1.9).
- August 10: Moon passes 0°42' from Spica (mag 1.0).
- August 12: First Quarter Moon; Perseids’ peak (ZHR = 100) 🌟.
- August 14: Moon passes 0°0' from Antares (mag 1.1); Mars (mag 0.8) passes 0°18' from Jupiter (mag -2.2) 🌟; Mercury (mag 4.2) passes 5°12' from Regulus (mag 1.4).
- August 17: κ-Cygnids’ peak (ZHR = 3).
- August 19: Full Blue Moon (Supermoon) 🌟; Moon passes 0°37' from Neptune (mag 7.8).
- August 21: Moon passes 0°24' from Saturn (mag 0.7), lunar occultation of Saturn visible from Latin America, Africa, and Europe 🌟
- August 25: Moon passes 4°16' from Uranus (mag 5.7).
- August 26: Last Quarter Moon; Moon passes 0°6' from Pleiades (mag 1.2).
- August 27: Moon passes 5°16' from Mars (mag 0.8), 5°38' from Jupiter (mag -2.3).
- August 28: Large planetary alignment of Mercury (mag 2.3), Mars (mag 0.8), Jupiter (mag -2.3), Saturn (mag 0.7), Uranus (mag 5.7), and Neptune (mag 7.8). 🌟
- August 30: Moon passes 1°42' from Pollux (mag 1.2).
- August 31: Aurigids’ peak (ZHR = 6).
More: Don't miss upcoming events with the Sky Tonight app's astronomical calendar. Learn how to use it at an advanced level with our guide.
*The highlighted events are the best visible events of the month.
About magnitude: the faintest magnitude for stars and planets visible to the naked eye in cities with moderate light pollution is about 4. The limiting magnitude of an optical device depends on its specification but rarely exceeds 11.
Planets in August 2024
Northern Hemisphere
Mercury (mag 1.4) is very close to the Sun and becomes visible only by the end of the month, in the morning. Venus (mag -3.8) is barely visible in the evening twilight, appearing very low above the western horizon, about 40 minutes after sunset. Both planets can be found in Leo, but by the end of the month, Venus will move in Virgo.
In the morning, you can spot Mars (mag 0.9) and Jupiter (mag -2.0) in Taurus. Saturn (mag 0.8) is visible from night until morning in Aquarius.
Use binoculars to find Uranus (mag 5.7) in the morning in Taurus. Even fainter Neptune (mag 7.8) can be seen at the beginning of the month after midnight in Pisces.
Southern Hemisphere
Elusive Mercury (mag 1.4) is too close to the Sun and appears in the sky only by the end of the month, low above the eastern horizon in Leo. Venus (mag -3.9) is low in the west in the evening for no more than an hour in Leo and then in Virgo.
Mars (mag 0.9) and Jupiter (mag -2.0) can be seen in the morning in the northern sky in Taurus. Look for Saturn (mag 0.7) in Aquarius from after midnight until morning.
Use binoculars to see Uranus (mag 5.7) in the morning in Taurus. Neptune (mag 7.8) is visible around the same time in Pisces.
Constellations in August 2024
In August, observers in the Northern Hemisphere can see the constellations Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila high in the sky. Three of their brightest stars form a well-known star pattern — the Summer Triangle. This asterism is visible all year round, but the best observing season is from July to September.
During the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere, stargazers can view two zodiac constellations (Scorpius and Sagittarius) and Ophiuchus (often called the 13th zodiac constellation).
Constellations change their position in the sky from season to season. Read our guides on seasonal constellations for the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere to know what constellations are visible each month.
Meteor showers in August 2024
In August, three meteor showers reach their peak activity: the Perseids on August 12, the κ-Cygnids on August 17, and the Aurigids on August 31. While the κ-Cygnids and Aurigids are harder to distinguish from random (sporadic) meteors, the Perseids are the true highlight of the year! The Perseids' peak is highly anticipated, and its observation doesn’t require any specific skills. Let's take a closer look at this meteor shower.
Perseid meteor shower peak in August 2024
During the peak time, observers can see up to 100 Perseid meteors in one hour. According to the International Meteor Organization, the peak will be on the night of August 11-12.
The best viewing locations for the Perseids are in mid-northern latitudes, where the radiant will be at its highest point around 10-11 p.m. local time. Unfortunately, the shower won't be well visible from most of the Southern Hemisphere and latitudes north of about 60°N.
The Perseid meteor shower is not limited to its peak time. Even after the peak, the Perseids are known for occasional bursts of activity. In 2021, for instance, about a day and a half after the usual maximum, there was a significant surge in activity, with more than 200 meteors observed per hour.
As for 2024, the Earth will pass through several old dust trails left by the comet Swift-Tuttle, mainly on August 12 between 04:00 and 11:00 GMT. This can cause another meteor burst. Although there are no specific predictions about the activity level, this event is certainly worth observing, especially for passionate meteor enthusiasts.
If you're interested in observing this meteor shower, you can learn more about it from our dedicated article on how to observe the Perseids.
Blue Supermoon in August 2024
The Full Moon this month will occur on Monday, August 19, at 18:26 GMT (2:26 p.m. EDT). At that time, our natural satellite will be located in the constellation Aquarius. The August 2024 Full Moon combines several unique characteristics, earning it the name "Full Blue Super Sturgeon Moon" (Jon Snow would probably be jealous). Let's explore the meanings behind these names!
Normally, each astronomical season (defined by solstices and equinoxes) has three months and three Full Moons, but occasionally there is a fourth Full Moon. The third of these four Full Moons (the August Full Moon) is called a seasonal Blue Moon. Despite its intriguing name, this isn't a unique astronomical phenomenon, and the lunar disc won’t actually change color. The nickname arises from the mismatch between the calendar year and the lunar year.
Learn more about a Blue Moon from our dedicated article, where we also explain why the seasonal Blue Moon is the third Full Moon in a season, not the fourth one.
The Full Moon in August will be the first Super Full Moon of the year. This is a name for a Full Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit. For observers on Earth, Super Full Moons appear 7% bigger and 16% brighter than ordinary ones. However, to the naked eye, it doesn’t really make a great difference despite the dramatic name.
Read about the origin of this name and see what supermoon has to do with astrology in our dedicated article.
Finally, Sturgeon Moon is the name given to the August Full Moon by Native Americans, who based the Full Moon names on the characteristics of a particular month. For many tribes living around the Great Lakes, August was traditionally the time to fish for sturgeon. Other cultures have different names for the August Full Moon, such as Harvest Moon or Fruit Moon.
Despite the impressive nicknames, the August Full Moon doesn’t really stand out among other Full Moons this year. But a Full Moon is one of the easiest astronomical events to see in general, so don’t miss a chance to view our natural satellite at its best in the sky!
Find more details about the August Full Moon here.
Large planetary alignment on August 28, 2024
The last planetary alignment of this year will occur at the end of August. In the early morning of August 28, six planets — Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn — will align in the sky, spanning across approximately 170° of the sky.
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, though Mercury will be closer to the horizon and harder to spot. To see Neptune and Uranus, you'll need a telescope or a pair of binoculars.
Please note that August 28 is a general date when the alignment will be visible from most locations around the world. To see how this event will appear from your exact location, use the Sky Tonight app. We also calculated some of the best viewing dates for various locations in our dedicated article about planetary alignments.
The next planetary alignment (also known as a planet parade) will occur in January 2025. So if you don’t want to wait another half a year, take this opportunity to witness this celestial event!
Very close conjunction of Mars-Jupiter on August 14, 2024
Another highly anticipated astronomical event this year is the extremely close conjunction of two bright planets — Mars and Jupiter. They will be easily visible to the naked eye and will also fit within the field of view of a telescope, creating a perfect opportunity for a beautiful photo.
The exact time of the event is August 14, at 14:45 GMT (11:45 a.m. EDT). Observers should look for the planets after midnight local time above the eastern horizon. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, look for them closer to the morning hours. Use the Sky Tonight app to find out when exactly the planets will be visible from your location.
Don't miss this chance! The next time these planets will come this close together will be in 2033.
Comets in August 2024
All comets visible in August 2024 are relatively faint, so you'll need a pair of binoculars with good magnification or a telescope to observe them. However, it's not long before we get to see the next bright comet! Read on for the details.
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
While observers are waiting for September-October to see how C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will appear in our sky around its closest approach to Earth, there are conflicting forecasts about its disintegration. For now, most astronomers agree that the comet will be a spectacular view in our sky. C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) has already disappeared from the view of Northern Hemisphere observers and is about to do the same for the Southern Hemisphere. Observers there have only a couple more weeks to spot the comet before it gets too close to the Sun. Look for C/2023 A3 in the evening above the western horizon in the constellation Leo. The comet is still faint, about magnitude 9.
13P/Olbers
Comet 13P/Olbers is currently visible from both hemispheres in the evening. The comet reached its maximum brightness (mag 6.7) on June 30 and is now slowly fading. Throughout August, it will have a magnitude of 8 to 9 and will appear low above the northwestern horizon. It will rise higher in the northern latitudes. See the detailed path of comet Olbers across the sky for August in our dedicated article.
12P/Pons-Brooks
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere can see 12P/Pons-Brooks high above the southwestern horizon in August. The comet is very faint (mag 9-10) but is located far from the Sun in the sky for southern latitudes. Look for the comet in the evening or in the morning; in the middle of the night, the comet sets below the horizon for several hours.
How to navigate the night sky?
To locate celestial objects, use the Sky Tonight mobile app, an interactive sky map. It's a free app with a vast, regularly updated database. The best part is that it works offline, so you can use it while camping or hiking. Simply open the app, point your device at the sky, and it will show you what's up there. If you want to become a pro at exploring the night sky, there are also video tutorials to help you get started.
Bottom line: Celestial events in August 2024
August 2024 is a fantastic month for stargazers, offering some major astronomical events that can be easily observed without any special equipment. From the mesmerizing Perseids to the stunning close conjunction of Mars and Jupiter and the great planetary alignment, there's something for everyone. In addition, several comets will be visible through binoculars or telescopes. Whether you're an experienced observer or a beginner, these events are perfect opportunities to explore the night sky. Don’t forget to use the Sky Tonight app to enhance your stargazing experience and ensure you catch every moment of these celestial wonders.
