Astronomical events for August 2026 include meteor showers, eclipses, and a Sturgeon Moon. This month is jam-packed with things to see in both the late-night sky and the early morning haze.
Meteor Showers and Eclipses
The Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12-13, with up to 50-100 meteors per hour and possible fireball meteors. A partial solar eclipse occurs on August 12, visible in parts of the northeastern U.S. A partial lunar eclipse takes place on August 27-28, visible to all of the Americas and partially visible to Europe and Africa.
Planetary Elongations
Mercury is at its greatest elongation west on August 2, making it easier to spot in the morning sky. Venus is at its greatest elongation east on August 15, making it an “evening star” in the evening sky.
The full moon of late August is known as the Sturgeon Moon, named after the fish found in several regions of North America. Other Indigenous names for the moon include the Corn Moon, Harvest Moon, Plum Moon, Huckleberry Moon, Courting Time Moon, and the Moon When Young Ducks Begin To Fly.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
