Within the fifth of her widespread stargazing sequence, Omara Williams turns her gaze to the southern sky. This August, she guides readers to Fomalhaut, Hamal and different seasonal stars, whereas highlighting the month’s spectacular meteor showers, planetary pairings and lunar encounters
August is a spectacular month for stargazing, dominated by the dazzling Perseids, some of the well-known meteor showers of the yr, and accompanied by six different showers that mild up the summer season sky. As darkness arrives earlier and the Milky Approach stretches overhead in all its glory, the constellations of Capricornus, Cetus, Aries and Piscis Austrinus take centre stage.
On this fifth instalment of my stargazing sequence, we’ll construct on July’s tour of the northeastern constellations, from Capella and Perseus to Cassiopeia and Andromeda, which you’ll be able to revisit right here to refresh your navigation expertise earlier than exploring August’s highlights. This time, we’ll deal with find out how to discover among the season’s brightest stars, together with Fomalhaut and Hamal, and take a more in-depth have a look at the month’s planetary alignments, lunar encounters and meteor exercise.
The best way to Discover Fomalhaut in Piscis Austrinus
To seek out Fomalhaut, look south after midnight. It sits by itself in an in any other case empty stretch of sky, which is why it’s referred to as the Loneliest Star. In the event you can spot the massive Sq. of Pegasus overhead — an enormous field of 4 vivid stars — begin from the bottom-right nook of that sq.. Hint an imaginary straight line down towards the horizon, and the primary vivid star you’ll see is Fomalhaut, twinkling close to the horizon.
In August, Saturn shines simply above and to the left of Fomalhaut, creating a ravishing pairing. Fomalhaut is a scorching, white star, way more huge and luminous than our Solar, situated round 25 light-years away. It has two smaller companion stars about one to 2 light-years distant and is surrounded by a number of rings of mud and gasoline, which astronomers examine to study planet formation. The title Fomalhaut comes from Arabic and means Mouth of the Fish, marking its place within the Piscis Austrinus (Southern Fish) constellation.
The best way to Discover Deneb Algedi in Capricornus
From Fomalhaut, search for and to the best (in the direction of the southwest). You’ll see a faint V-shaped sample of stars — that is Capricornus, the Sea Goat. The brilliant star on the left finish of the V is Deneb Algedi, the tail of the goat.
Deneb Algedi is a multiple-star system about 40 light-years away, with two stars that eclipse one another as they orbit, inflicting its brightness to differ. Its title additionally comes from Arabic, which means the tail of the goat.
The best way to Discover Diphda and Menkar in Cetus
Return to Fomalhaut and search for and to your left (in the direction of the southeast). The brilliant orange star you’ll discover there’s Diphda, the brightest star within the sprawling constellation Cetus, which represents a sea monster in Greek mythology.
Diphda is an orange big, greater than 30 instances bigger than our Solar, and is situated about 96 light-years away. Near it — just a few stars to the left — is Menkar, a crimson big that’s a lot farther away at 250 light-years. Cetus is a part of the legendary story of Perseus and Andromeda, the place Perseus fought the ocean monster Cetus to avoid wasting the princess.
The best way to Discover Hamal in Aries
From Menkar, hint your gaze upwards till you notice three stars forming a small curve — that is Aries, the Ram. The brightest of the three is Hamal, which glows with a gentle orange mild.
Hamal is an orange big, about 66 light-years away, and is ranked the Fiftieth-brightest star within the night time sky. Astronomers consider it could host an exoplanet practically twice the mass of Jupiter. In Greek mythology, Aries was the golden-fleeced ram owned by Zeus, later positioned among the many stars close to Pegasus.
What Else to Watch Out for This August
August is likely one of the busiest months for skywatchers, with meteor showers lighting up the heavens and planets making putting appearances alongside the Moon and vivid stars. Right here’s find out how to profit from what’s coming.
Meteor Showers
Meteor showers are actually some of the fulfilling pure spectacles seen within the night time sky. These fascinating shows happen when Earth journeys by way of the remnants of comets or asteroids, leaving trails of glowing particles in its wake. As this cosmic mud and fragments of rock enter our environment at unbelievable speeds, they ignite in an excellent flash, creating the awe-inspiring sight of capturing stars streaking throughout the heavens.
Most meteor showers are named after the constellation and star from which they seem to radiate. To maximise your possibilities of witnessing these good fireballs, it’s vital to organize. After midnight, drive to a location removed from metropolis lights and select a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky. A moonless night time is good, but when that isn’t potential, attempt to defend your eyes from direct moonlight. Lie again in a cushty chair that lets you search for for prolonged intervals. Remember to permit your eyes to regulate to the darkness for no less than 20 minutes as you wait in anticipation.
Right here’s a transparent breakdown of the meteor showers occurring in August:
1. Perseids:
– Dates: July 17 – August 23
– Peak: August 12–13
– Fee: As much as 100 meteors/hour
– Notes: One of many brightest meteor showers of the yr, however will probably be impacted by moonlight. Look excessive within the jap sky.
2. Eta Eridanids:
– Dates: July 12 – August 30
– Peak: August 7-8
– Fee: As much as 6 meteors/hour
– Notes: Swift meteors inflicting vivid however transient streaks of sunshine. Look low within the southeastern sky.
3. Southern Delta Aquariids:
– Dates: July 18 – August 21
– Peak: July 29–30
– Fee: As much as 25 meteors/hour
– Notes: Identified to go away glowing trails lasting just a few seconds after the meteor has handed. Look low within the southern sky.
4. Alpha Capricornids:
– Dates: July 12 – August 12
– Peak: July 29-30
– Fee: As much as 5 meteors/hour
– Notes: Identified for vivid fireballs. Look within the mid-southwestern sky.
5. Piscis Austrinids:
– Dates: July 15 – August 10
– Peak: July 28
– Fee: As much as 5 meteors/hour
– Notes: Faint bathe however straightforward to find close to the intense star Fomalhaut. Look low within the southern sky.
6. Kappa Cygnids:
– Dates: August 3 – August 25
– Peak: August 17
– Fee: As much as 3 meteors/hour
– Notes: This sporadic bathe typically peaks alongside the Perseids. Look excessive within the northwestern sky.
7. Antihelion
– Dates: January 1 – September 10
– Fee: As much as 4 meteors/hour
– Notes: On the path reverse to that of the Solar in our sky. Look low within the southern sky.
Different Evening Sky Occasions in August
Whereas ready for the meteors, there are many different celestial sights to get pleasure from. Saturn gleams within the southeastern sky beneath the Sq. of Pegasus, whereas Venus and Jupiter rise collectively within the east throughout the early hours. Highlights this month embrace:
August 7 – Peak of the Eta Eridanids meteor bathe.
Look within the southeastern sky beneath the orange star Menkar for this unpredictable meteor bathe. Those that do see it, nevertheless, are rewarded with the sight of quick, flashing fireballs lasting just a few seconds.
August 9 – Full Moon (Sturgeon Moon).
The total Moon rises from the southeast after 9:00 p.m. It follows a low arc towards the southwest, gliding between the Aquarius and Capricornus constellations and setting after 5:00 a.m. the following day. Sadly, this vivid mild will obscure the views of meteor showers occurring in that a part of the sky. The title “Sturgeon Moon” is derived from the massive inhabitants of big lake sturgeon discovered within the Nice Lakes throughout this time of yr.
August 11 – Jupiter and Venus alignment.
Watch the intense planets Jupiter and Venus rising facet by facet within the northeastern sky within the early hours after 3:00 a.m. They are going to shine to the best of Castor and Pollux, the distinguished stars of the Gemini constellation.
August 12 – Peak of the Perseids meteor bathe.
With the Moon at 90% full, observing situations will likely be difficult. Nevertheless, since this bathe produces very vivid meteors, there’s nonetheless an opportunity to see an amazing show. Search for the radiant excessive within the jap sky between the Perseus and Cassiopeia constellations.
August 16 – The Moon close to the Pleiades star cluster.
After 11:00 p.m., watch the waning crescent Moon rise to the left of the intense Pleiades cluster and above the crimson big star Aldebaran.
August 17 – Peak of the Kappa Cygnids meteor bathe.
To watch this meteor bathe, look excessive within the northwestern sky, to the best of the intense stars Vega and Deneb, that are a part of the Summer time Triangle. Identified for its sporadic nature, this meteor bathe surprises viewers with beautiful capturing stars.
August 21 – The Moon close to Jupiter, Venus and Mercury.
Within the northeastern sky after 4:00 a.m., search for the skinny, waning crescent Moon shining to the left of Jupiter and Venus, above Mercury and beneath the celebs Castor and Pollux. This beautiful association of celestial objects will create an impressive and unforgettable view.
Omara Williams is a nuclear and software program engineer whose multi-award-winning debut science-fiction novel, The Area Traveller’s Lover, shot to worldwide bestseller standing. Outdoors of her literary pursuits, she enjoys stargazing and chasing whole photo voltaic eclipses.
Foremost picture, courtesy Felipe Helfstein/Pexels
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