08/04/2025
August 2025 is shaping up to be a truly magical month for skywatchers, with a calendar packed full of celestial wonders you won’t want to miss.
It all kicks off on August 9 with the Full Sturgeon Moon so named by Native American tribes because sturgeon were most easily caught at this time of year. Watch as this radiant full moon bathes the summer landscape in silvery light, rising at sunset and setting with the dawn a perfect scene for photographers and night owls alike.
Just a few nights later, on August 12, get ready for a double dose of cosmic action. The Perseid Meteor Shower, one of the most spectacular and reliable meteor displays of the year, will reach its peak—potentially dazzling observers with up to 100 meteors per hour streaking across the sky. To make the night even more special, Venus and Jupiter our two brightest planets will appear almost side-by-side in a rare and striking conjunction near the eastern horizon just before sunrise, shining together like a celestial double star.
On August 18, another rare sight awaits as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus align in the early morning sky. While Uranus and Mercury may require binoculars or a small telescope to spot, the alignment of so many planets is a treat for early risers and astronomy enthusiasts.
The show continues on August 21, when a delicate crescent Moon will nestle close to Mercury low on the horizon, best seen shortly after sunset with a clear western view. Then, on August 22, we’ll experience a special “Black Moon”—the second New Moon in a single calendar month. While you won’t see the Moon at all, the resulting dark skies will create ideal conditions for stargazing, meteor watching, and spotting the glowing river of the Milky Way overhead.
So mark your calendar, grab your telescope or just your sense of wonder, and get ready for a month of unforgettable sky shows!
Credit: Astronomical event calendars, Native American full moon naming traditions, and observatory skywatching guides.
