See Perseid Meteors, The Milky Way And Mercury: This Week’s Night Sky

Every Monday, I curate the celestial highlights for the northern hemisphere (mid-northern latitudes) for the coming week. For more comprehensive articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses, and more, make sure to visit my main feed.

The Night Sky This Week: August 7-13, 2023

It’s time to consult the light pollution map and find a dark location to witness one of the most anticipated sky events in 2023—the annual Perseid meteor shower! If you’re fortunate enough to be under a clear, dark sky, you can expect to see up to 100 to 150 “shooting stars” per hour. The meteor shower will be active throughout the week, but the best time for viewing is on Saturday through Sunday, known as the peak night. To fully enjoy this celestial phenomenon, consider embarking on a camping trip.

However, there are other astronomical events occurring in the night sky this week. Here’s what you need to know:

Tuesday, August 8: Last Quarter Moon Near Jupiter

Today, our satellite will enter its Last Quarter phase, rising just after midnight on August 8, positioned just above Jupiter. This celestial event not only offers a spectacular view but also provides the perfect opportunity to observe two of the solar system’s most magnificent objects using a telescope. Additionally, the Last Quarter Moon will usher in a series of ten consecutive nights with dark, moonless skies.

Wednesday, August 9: Moon, Pleiades And Uranus

If you can stay awake until about 01:00 a.m., look towards the eastern sky. You’ll be rewarded with the sight of an 80% illuminated waning gibbous moon nestled between the sparkling Pleiades open cluster, also known as the “Seven Sisters,” and the seventh planet, Uranus. Binoculars will enhance your viewing experience of all three celestial bodies, and this alignment presents a particularly favorable opportunity to spot Uranus.

Thursday, August 10: Mercury Farthest From Sun

Tonight, the closest planet to the sun will reach its “greatest elongation west,” positioning it more than 27° away from our star. Consequently, instead of being lost in the sun’s glare, Mercury will become visible after sunset in the western sky. Seizing this opportunity to observe the “Swift Planet” may require binoculars and a clear view of the western horizon. Additionally, Mars will be visible above Mercury.

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The Perseid Meteor Shower Has Begun: When To See It At Its Best
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Saturday/Sunday, August 12/13: Perseid Meteor Shower

After a few years of dealing with moonlit skies, the long-awaited peak of the Perseid meteor shower in the northern hemisphere will occur in 2023 when the moon has set. Known for their brightness and rapid movement (including frequent “fireballs”), the Perseids originate from the comet Swift-Tuttle, which completes its orbit around the Sun approximately every 133 years. These meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus.

The best strategy is to spend the night outside, gazing at the sky from dusk until dawn. While it may be challenging for many, be sure not to miss the period between midnight and 04:00 a.m., when Perseus will be high up in the dark sky.

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Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.