Sky Watch August 2023

It's HOT!! Seems like we've been in the "Dog Days" of August since late June!! Sirius, the Dog Star, is very close to the sun this time of year. Ancient Egyptians thought it added to the sun's heat, and I'm pretty sure I believe them!! 

When it begins to appear ahead of the sun in the mornings, we'll start to cool off, but that's still weeks away, 

Evening skies: The summer stars of Sagittarius, Scorpio, and the Summer Triangle are high in the sky after sunset. They'll drop lower into the west as we get closer to fall.

Perseid Meteor Shower is a late night show August 11/12/13th. The moon won't be bright then, so it could be good this year if you are away from the city!

Two Full Moons in August!! The first is tonight 8/1, and the Blue Moon, the second in the month, is on the 30th!!

Morning skies:  Bright planets in the morning: Saturn setting in the west, Jupiter overhead. Venus is crossing between us and the sun, but will begin to show up as a morning star around Labor Day. Fall and Winter stars are rising ahead of the sun. That's a good sign that shorter/cooler days are slowly approaching! 

At the Quarry and around town: Chimney Swifts fill the air, cicadas are singing, Green Herons are hunting. 

You never know what you'll see:  Photo of a Black Swallowtail Butterfly, resting to escape the heat!

School starts soon, ready or not.......but don't forget to go outside and take time to look around whenever you can. Always a good thing to do, in spite of the heat!!  PKL