NASA Highlights August Sky Events and Hidden Night Sky Phenomena

Astronomy enthusiasts can observe several naked‑eye phenomena without any equipment. The zodiacal light appears as a faint triangular glow near the horizon after sunset or before sunrise, caused by sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust. The gegenschein is a subtle oval of light opposite the Sun, while the zodiacal band links the two along the ecliptic under exceptionally dark skies.

August offers a series of notable celestial events. A total solar eclipse on August 12 traverses northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and a small part of Portugal, with a partial eclipse visible across much of the United States. The Perseid meteor shower peaks the night of August 12‑13, offering bright streaks as Earth passes through comet Swift‑Tuttle’s debris. From August 14‑16, Venus shines as the brightest evening object in the western sky. Finally, a partial lunar eclipse on August 27‑28 will darken about 93 % of the Moon, visible across the Americas, Europe and Africa. Safe viewing guidelines are recommended for the solar eclipse, while the lunar eclipse can be watched unaided.