AstroPlanet (the Blog)

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.

There are two new moons in the month of August: The First New Moon occurs on Friday, August 1^st, which will make the weekend of August 2^nd-3^rd as an excellent weekend for dark sky viewing.  The Second New Moon occurs on Saturday, August 30^th, which will make August 30^th-31^st as a second fantastic weekend for dark sky viewing.

The Full moon for this month occurs on August 16^th and is known as the "Full Sturgeon Moon" or "Full Barley Moon."

There will be a Solar Eclipse seen across Northern Asia on August 1^st, 2008.

August 14, Sunset -
On August 14^th and 15^th, there is a triple planetary conjunction between Mercury, Venus and Saturn.

Mercury is not visible at the beginning of the month due to its proximity to the sun.  Mercury emerges into the evening sky around August 9^th right after sunset.

Unseen, Mercury being this month in the constellation Cancer, the Crab, and crosses into the constellation Leo, the Lion, on August 3^rd. On August 24^th, Mercury cross into the constellation Virgo, the Maiden, where it finishes the month.

August 15, Sunset -
On August 14^th and 15^th, there is a triple planetary conjunction between Mercury, Venus and Saturn.

Venus is the Evening Star for the entire month on August.  It begins the month in the constellation Leo, the Lion, until August 24^th, when it moves into Virgo, the Maiden.

August 13, sunset - On August 13, Venus will pass within a mere 0°25′
of the planet Saturn.

On August 14^th and 15^th, Venus, Mercury and Saturn are within 2°45′ of each other.

Finally August 20^th, Venus will pass with 1° of the planet Mercury.

Mars is visible all month in the evening.  Mars begins August in the constellation Leo, the Lion, until August 9^th, when it moves into the constellation Virgo, the Maiden.

On August 3^rd, Mars sets within 6° of the Waxing, Crescent Moon.

Jupiter is located in the constellation Sagittarius until January 2009.  Since Jupiter reached Opposition last month (July 9^th), it is in excellent position for observing most of the night all month.

In the very early morning of August 13th, Jupiter will set within 4°45′
of the waxing, gibbous moon.

Saturn is found in the constellation Leo, the Lion, September of 2009 and is visible this month until around August 25^th, when it will disappear into the glare of the evening sun.

August 14, Sunset -
On August 14^th and 15^th, there is a triple planetary conjunction between Mercury, Venus and Saturn.

Uranus is located in the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer, until March 2009.  Since Uranus will reach Opposition next month (September 9^th), it will be in excellent position for viewing for almost the entire night.

Neptune reaches Opposition this month on August 14^th.

August 14^th, 2008 - Neptune reaches it’s Opposition. Shown here in
relative position to Uranus, Jupiter and the Moon.

This places Neptune in excellent position for observation all night, all month.  Neptune is located in the constellation Capricornus, the Sea Goat, until the year 2010.

Pluto is found in the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer, until the year 2023. Pluto is in position for observation from evening to the very early morning hours this month.  At the beginning of the month Pluto will set around 3:15am, and by the end of the month, Pluto will set around 1:10am.

August 15^th - Pluto’s position relative to Jupiter, Neptune and the Moon.

8/1/2008 Solar Eclipse (visible from Northern Asia)

8/1/2008 New Moon

8/3/2008 Mars sets within 6° of the waning, crescent moon

8/8/2008 First Quarter Moon

8/13/2008 Venus passes within 0°25′ of Saturn

8/13/2008 Jupiter sets within 4°45′ of the waxing, gibbous moon

8/14/2008 Neptune reach Opposition

8/14/2008 Triple planetary conjunction with Mercury, Venus and Saturn within 2°45′ of each other

8/15/2008 Triple planetary conjunction with Mercury, Venus and Saturn within 2°45′ of each other

8/16/2008 Full Sturgeon Moon

8/20/2008 Venus passes within 1° of Mercury

8/23/2008 Last Quarter Moon

8/30/2008 New Moon