August 2021 Moon Phases & Astronomy

August 2021 Moon Phases and Astronomy. Learn about the Blue Moon, Meteor Showers, Lunar Conjunctions, and more at WildHemlock.Com!
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August 2021 Moon Phases and Astronomy. Learn about the Blue Moon, Meteor Showers, Lunar Conjunctions, and more at WildHemlock.Com!

In August 2021 is a great time to be a stargazer. August 22nd is a Blue Moon – but the only Full Moon this month. Both Jupiter and Saturn will be well positioned for viewing, but the Perseid Meteor Shower steals the show. According to NASA, the Perseids will peak with over 40 shooting stars per hour! Most people in the Northern Hemisphere with access to areas with low light pollution can view the meteors. You can look northward or look upward.

There are two types of blue moons – a traditional blue moon and an astronomical blue moon. An astronomical blue moon is the third of four full moons in one astronomical season, or between each Solstice and Equinox. 2021’s Summer Solstice was on June 20th, and the Autumn Equinox is next month on September 22nd. During this period, there will have been four full moons: on June 24th, July 23rd, August 22nd, and September 20th. The astronomical blue moon is noted on the third moon.

Here is a quick highlight reel:

  • Saturn at Opposition on the 2nd
  • Perseids Meteor Shower on the 12th
  • Mercury & Mars in Conjunction on the 18th
  • Jupiter at Opposition on the 19th
  • Astronomical Blue Moon August 22nd

And there’s plenty more! Check out the Glossary of Astronomical Events if you need any explanations.

Moon Phases

Blue Moon in August 2021 - Learn More at WildHemlock.Com
New Moon

August 8th
First Quarter Moon

August 15th
Full Moon

Astronomical Blue Moon

August 22nd

Fourth Full Moon in Summer
Third Quarter Moon

August 30th

All times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT).


Moon Facts

Moon. Learn more about lunar phenomena and moon phases at WildHemlock.Com
Apogee:2nd
Ascending Node:2nd
Descending Node:16th
Perigee:17th
Moon Name:Sturgeon Moon



Meteor Showers

Learn more about Meteor Showers at WildHemlock.Com
Perseus Constellation thanks to Wikipedia. Learn More at WildHemlock.Com

Perseids Meteor Shower

Radiant Point:Perseus
Peak Date:August 12th
Best Time, EST:Pre-dawn hours
Direction to Look:North, towards zenith
Learn More:NASA
Image from IAU and Sky & Telescope Magazine, via Wikipedia

Draco Constellation thanks to Wikipedia. Learn More at WildHemlock.Com


κ-Cygnids Meteor Shower

Radiant Point:Between Cygnus and Draco
Peak Date:August 18th
Best Time, EST:Dusk to 10 PM
Direction to Look:North
Learn More:In The Sky.Org
Image from IAU and Sky & Telescope Magazine, via Wikipedia

* For the East Coast of the United States

Planetary Alignments

Mercury

Superior Conjunction

August 1st

Hidden from view by the Sun
Saturn

Solar Opposition

August 2nd

Ideal time to view planet
Mercury and Mars

Geocentric Conjunction

August 18th

Great photo opportunity
Jupiter

Solar Opposition

August 19th

Ideal time to view planet

Lunar Conjunctions

Moon. Learn more about lunar phenomena and moon phases at WildHemlock.Com
Mars

Lunar Conjunction

August 9th
Venus

Lunar Conjunction

August 11th
Saturn

Lunar Conjunction

August 20th
Jupiter

Lunar Conjunction

August 22th

August 2021

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