Episode 545 – Observer’s Calendar for August 2026 Show Notes

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Planet Positions & Visibility

  • Mercury: Low in ENE, best observed after mid-month.
  • Venus: In ENE morning sky all month.
  • Mars: Extremely low in W, sets before 10:00 PM.
  • Jupiter: Rises about 3:00 AM in ENE; visible in E at dawn.
  • Saturn: Rises in E before 10:00 PM, transits before 5:00 AM, high in SE at dawn.

Astronomical Events by Date

  • August 2
    • Mercury at greatest morning elongation (19° from Sun)
    • Comet 10P/Tempel 2visible at 2:25 AM
    • Image for when moon leaves in second week of Aug.
  • August 3
    • Lunar Feature (Mare Orientale) visible at 4:45 AM
    • Carbon star RS Cyg best in evening
  • August 5
    • Last Quarter Moon at 22:21

***August 5 Falcon 9 Upper Stage lunar impact anyone?***

  • August 9
    • Mars 4° South of Moon
    • Star cluster NGC 6791 well placed this evening
  • August 10
    • Moon at perigee
    • Wild Duck Cluster (M11) well placed this evening
  • August 11
    • Mercury 2° South of Moon
    • Globular clusters M22 and M28 well placed this evening
  • August 12
    • New Moon at 13:37
    • Perseid meteors (ZHR=100), best seen late evening
  • August 16
    • Venus 2° North of Moon
  • August 19
    • First Quarter Moon at 22:46
    • Lunar feature Barrow Ray visible at 8:30 PM
    • Carbon star S Sct best in evening
  • August 23
    • Lunar feature Jewelled Handle visible at 12:00 AM
    • Carbon star V CrB best in evening
  • August 26
    • Crater Bailly visible at 10:00 PM
    • 57 Aql (colourful double star) visible
  • August 28th
  • Full Moon: Occurs at 0:19.
  • Partial (96%) Lunar Eclipse
  • 9 Metis at Opposition: Visible at magnitude m = 9.3
  • The asteroid was discovered on April 25, 1848, by Irish astronomer Andrew Graham. It was his only asteroid discovery and holds historical significance as the only asteroid ever discovered from an observatory in Ireland (the Markree Observatory). Scientists believe 9 Metis has a cataclysmic history. It is highly dense and rich in metals, leading researchers to conclude that it is likely the core remnant of an ancient, much larger primordial asteroid. This parent body was completely destroyed and stripped of its outer crust by a colossal space collision billions of years ago.

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