COLUMBIA, S.C. — Last month we got some good photos in of the Full Moon from some of our WLTX Weather Watchers. If you missed the Moon last month you will have two opportunities to view it in the month of August.
We start out the month with the Sturgeon Moon on August 1st which will be visible starting around sunset. There will be a second full moon called the “Blue Moon” on the last day of the month, August 30th.
If you want to see some planets there will be plenty to view in the mornings ahead. On August 3rd Saturn will be present with the Moon in the southern sky.
Just a few days later, on August 8th, the Moon will be visible with Jupiter in the Southeastern sky during this morning hours of the day.
The main draw for our night sky this month is the Perseid Meteor Shower occurring on the 11th through the 13th.
John Hodge is NASA Solar System Ambassador and member of the Midlands Astronomy Club and says that this is the best meteor shower of the year.
“It is interesting, it has what we call fireballs, these are meteors that go across the sky and kinda explode, sort of like fireworks, celestial fireworks.”
The best part of this meteor shower is that it lands on a weekend which will make for a great time to view.
“A meteor shower is one of those things you don’t need a telescope. What you need is a place that is relatively dark, where you can see the sky. Get a lounge chair, get something you can lay back and “ooh and ah”. If you are in a dark location you can see up to 90 meteors.”
The peak for this shower will be Saturday night going into the 13th.
Of course, weather always plays a role and over the next 7 days, we will see come cloudy nights heading towards the end of the week. Outside of that afternoon storms will play a very large roll in what we see.