This column was provided by San Benito County resident and amateur astronomer Ron Martin as part of a local series on astronomy. Lea este articulo en español aqui.

You are in your backyard on a warm summer night; you find the darkest part of the yard. Your eyes adjust, and you look up. Wow, you see an infinite number of bright stars, the moon must not be out. You have planned for a night of astronomy; you know what to do. In my last article, I talked about planning for a night of astronomy and what resources to use.

Let’s first talk about the Moon Phases and why it is important. The sky is darker when the Moon is not out, or it is in a smaller phase. The Moon phases are the changing shapes of the Moon we see from Earth as it orbits our planet each month. These phases occur because the Moon’s position relative to the Earth and Sun constantly shifts, changing how much of its sunlit surface is visible to us.

Each phase, from new moon (the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun) to full moon and back again, represents a different portion of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. I begin with the Moon phases, because they are so important in a great night of astronomy.

Moon Phase Date What It Means for Observing:

Last Quarter-August 6. Darker evenings as the Moon rises later.

New Moon-August 12. The best dark-sky window for the Milky Way and Perseids.

First Quarter- August 20. An excellent evening target along the lunar terminator
(the dividing line between the lit day side and the dark night side of the Moon).

Full Moon-August 28. The Full Moon occurs during the deep partial lunar.

Moon phases. Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Now let’s start with the highlights of the night sky in August. Summer is a prime time to view the night sky. The bright galactic core of the Milky Way climbs high and stays visible for long hours, warm night air makes outdoor viewing comfortable, and major meteor showers like the Perseids peak.

Prime Celestial Sights:

  • Milky Way visibility: The brilliant core of the Milky Way arches high across the
    evening sky during the summer, offering a clear structure of the core of our galaxy.
  • Summer constellations: Prominent stargazing landmarks like Scorpius and
    Sagittarius are fully visible.
  • Perseid meteor showers: Mid-August brings peak activity for shooting stars,
    frequently aligning with clear new moon conditions.
Sagittarius Constellation. Photo courtesy of Ron Martin.

Let’s focus this month on the southern sky. The Milky Way is the star of the show. When looking south, look for the constellation Sagittarius; it is shaped like a teapot. Pouring out of its spout is the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way.

Now let’s look at the constellations of the month. Scorpius and Sagittarius are great astronomy friends because they sit right next to each other in the summer sky, point toward one another in an eternal celestial standoff, and frame the richest, brightest sections of the Milky Way galaxy.

Sky-Map Neighbors:

  • Close proximity: They lie side-by-side along the zodiac in the southern summer sky.
  • The Archer’s aim: The arrow of Sagittarius points straight at Antares, the fiery red
    heart of Scorpius.
  • Galactic core: They flank the center of the Milky Way, offering views into the
    densest star clouds and gas lanes.

Deep-Sky Treasures:

  • Star clusters: Both regions overflow with bright open and globular clusters.
  • Glowing nebulae: Pinks and reds of stellar nurseries dot the space between them.
  • Easy markers: Finding the hook of Scorpius or the Teapot of Sagittarius leads you
    directly to the other.

Enjoy the views of the southern sky, there is a very small window for these spectacular constellations. I have a few links so you can dig deeper into the subjects of the month.

How to Find Sagittarius the Archer Constellation of the Zodiac
How to Find Scorpius the Scorpion – Constellation of the Zodiac
Phases and Motions of the Moon

This is only the beginning, as you get excited about the universe. You have the curiosity to explore the universe further. I did visual astronomy for a few years, which led to astrophotography. Local astronomy clubs are a fun way to meet people and receive tips from those who have been in the hobby for a long time. And lastly, I have a list of YouTube podcasts that I watch every month that cover what is in the night sky.

BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Late Night Astronomy
Sky & Telescope

Have fun and keep looking up.

Signing off.
Ron Martin

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