Night Sky for August 2024: Planets, Stars, and the Moon

The Full Surgeon Moon

August’s full Sturgeon Moon reaches its peak on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 2:26 P.M. Learn more about the full Moon of August, how it got its name, and the best days by the Moon in our August Moon Guide.

August Planet Watch

This month is all about spectacular planet sightings, so be sure to turn your eyes to the sky!

• On August 1, between 4:00 and 5:00 A.M., look for a lovely triangle. Made up of Jupiter to the lower left; the orange Taurus star, Aldebaran, to the lower right; and Mars to the upper apex - all to the right of a stunning crescent Moon.
   
• From August 1 to 13, Mars and Jupiter will continue to come closer together in the predawn sky. 

Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars

• On August 14, Mars and Jupiter form a beautiful conjunction. You won’t want to miss this beautiful sight!  About 2 hours before sunrise, look to eastward. First, you’ll see bright white Jupiter. To the upper right is a dimmer red Mars. It’s less than the width of a full Moon from Jupiter. In the same area, you’ll see the Pleiades (aka Seven Sisters) and bright star Aldebaran. 
  
  Watch the two plants all week (through the 16th). If you have binoculars, you’ll be able to see the moons of Jupiter. If you have a telescope, the two plants will appear in one view.
   
• On August 27, the crescent Moon meets again with dazzling Jupiter higher in the eastern sky.

See the planet rise and set times for your location.

Perseid Meteor Shower

August 11/12/13: The great Perseid Meteor Shower will have excellent dark sky viewing conditions since the Moon will set before midnight. The Perseids deliver a meteor a minute in dark, cloudless skies. These shooting stars are best seen after midnight. Learn all about the Perseids.

Summer Stargazing

The Summer Triangle still shines bright and high in the evening sky! Just look to the East and up! See our free star chart and have fun spotting the three bright stars of the Summer triangle!