| August is the eight month in the Gregorian calendar and consists of 31 days. The month of August was originally named ‘Sextilis’ meaning the ’sixth month’ in Latin, from the time when the year began on March 1. Augustus Caesar renamed ‘Sextilis’ after himself to ‘August’ and gave it 31 days so he would have as many days as his predecessor’s (Julius Caesar) month, July. It is said that Augustus pick the month after July for his month because that was the month that Cleopatra died. |
The Full Moon for August occurs on August 5th. It is known as the Full Sturgeon Moon. It is also known as the Grain or Green Corn Moon. On August 5th, there will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse visible from Africa, South America, Europe and the Middle East.
The New Moon occurs on Thursday, August 20th. This will make the weekend of August 22-23 as the best weekend for dark sky viewing this month.
The planet Mercury is visible in the evening this month and reaches its
Greatest Eastern Elongation on August 24th. Mercury’s Greatest Eastern
Elongation provides the best evening view for its current orbit. At this
point, Mercury is 27°21’55” from the Sun, making it visible for almost
2 hours after sunset.
Mercury begins August in the constellation Leo (The Lion) until August 20th when it moves into the constellation Virgo (The Maiden).
On August 1st Mercury is a mere 0°40’ from the star Regulus.
On August 21st, the waxing crescent Moon passes less than 5°30 on
Mercury.
Venus is the Morning Star for August. Venus begins this month in the constellation Gemini (The Twins) and on August 24th, Venus moves into the constellation Cancer (The Crab).
| On August 2nd, Venus is within 2°30’ of the open cluster, M35. |
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Mars is observable during the morning hours of August. At the beginning of the month Mars rises around 2:00 am (PDT) and by the end of the month Mars rises around 1:20 am (PDT). Mars begins this month in the constellation Taurus (The Bull) and on August 25 it moves into the constellation Gemini (The Twins) where it will finish out the month.
On August 15th and 16th Mars is located about 7° from the waning crescent Moon.
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On August 29th, Mars will pass within 0°50’ of the open cluster, M35. |
This month is the best time to observe Jupiter this year since Jupiter reaches opposition on August 14th. Jupiter is visible all night, all month in the constellation Carpicornus (The Sea Goat), where it can be found until January 2010. Currently, Jupiter is moving in retrograde motion.
| On August 6th, Jupiter sets within 4°45’ of the Full Moon. |
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Saturn is visible in the early evening hours during August. At the beginning of the Month Saturn sets around 9:50 pm (PDT) and by the end of August Saturn sets around 8:00 pm (PDT). Saturn is located in the constellation Leo (The Lion) until September. Saturn disappears into the glare of the Sunset at the end of August.
Uranus is located in the constellation Pisces (The Fish) until October. At the beginning of August Uranus rises around 10:05 pm (PDT) and by the end of the month Uranus rises around 8:00 pm (PDT).
Moving in retrograde this month, the planet Neptune is visible, all night, since it will reach Opposition on August 17th. This month will be the best time this year to observe Neptune, which is located in the constellation Capricornus (The Sea Goat) until the year 2010.
Pluto can be observed in the morning hours of August in the constellation Sagittarius (The Archer), where it is located unto the year 2023. The planet Pluto is currently in retrograde motion.
8/1/2009 Mercury with 0°40′ from the star Regulus
8/1/2009 Neptune 0°50′ from Jupiter
8/2/2009 Venus passes within 2°30′ of the open cluster M35
8/2/2009 Waning, gibbous Moon passes within 9° of Pluto
8/5/2009 Full Moon
8/5/2009 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
8/6/2009 Jupiter and Neptune within 5° of Full Moon
8/9/2009 Waning, gibbous Moon passes within 5° of Uranus
8/13/2009 Last Quarter Moon
8/14/2009 Jupiter Opposition
8/15/2009 Waning, crescent Moon passes within 7° of Mars
8/16/2009 Mercury passes within 3° of Saturn
8/16/2009 Waning, crescent Moon passes within 7° of Mars
8/17/2009 Neptune Opposition
8/20/2009 New Moon
8/21/2009 Waxing, crescent Moon passes within 5°30′ of Mercury
8/24/2009 Mercury’s Greatest Eastern Elongation - Best evening view ( 27°21′55″ )
8/27/2009 First Quarter Moon
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