August 12-13: Perseids Peak
The legendary Perseids, one of the most popular meteor showers of the year, reach their peak on the night of August 12–13. This year, viewing conditions will be excellent as the peak occurs near a New Moon, so the sky will stay completely dark. The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift–Tuttle that are usually visible from mid-July to late-August. The meteors are called the Perseids because they appear from the general direction of the constellation Perseus and in more modern times have a radiant bordering on Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis.
Image courtesy of JPL
August 27: Full Sturgeon Moon
The full Moon of August is traditionally called the “Sturgeon Moon.” The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain; this native freshwater fish was readily caught during this part of summer and became an important food staple for Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time, the lake sturgeon was quite abundant in late summer, though they are rarer today.
The August full moon was known to the ancient Celts as the Grain Moon or the Dispute Moon. August marked the first harvest of the year, a time when the Celts celebrated with feasts and festivals. It was also an occasion for settling disputes between neighbors.
Image courtesy of Old Farmer's Almanac
August 27: Partial Lunar Eclipse
People in Africa, Europe, parts of Greenland, Antarctica, most of the Americas and eastern Pacific Ocean will see a deep partial lunar eclipse overnight on August 27-28, 2026.
The whole half of Earth facing the full moon will see the lunar eclipse. It’s well placed for the Western Hemisphere. Of course, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the unaided eye. Binoculars and telescopes aren’t required to view a lunar eclipse, but they do enhance the view.
At this eclipse, about 96% of the moon will enter Earth’s dark umbral shadow. For the most part, the August 27-28, 2026, lunar eclipse will appear nearly as a total lunar eclipse of the moon. In other words, as the eclipse progresses and is near maximum eclipse, you should notice the red glow of totality and bright white patch along the moon’s northeastern limb.
Image courtesy of NASA
Report abuse