Alabama sky gazers have a menu of natural events to watch during the month of August.
Serious sky gazers need to find an area away from artificial lights. Cell phones, car lights, and other portable lights must remain off. Allow 30 minutes for eyes to adjust to the dark. If light interferes, the 30-minute wait must start over.
August 9 - Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, and its face will be fully illuminated. The August full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the “Sturgeon Moon” because the large sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of year. This moon has also been known in Alabama as the “Green Corn Moon” and the “Grain Moon.”
August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The waning gibbous moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. But if you are patient, you may still be able to catch quite a few good ones. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus but can appear anywhere in the sky.
August 19 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation of 18.6 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
August 23 - New Moon. The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies show His handiwork."
Psalm 19:1
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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