Sky Watch, August
August 1, 2026
by Peter Lutken
The "Dog Days" of August are finally here. Sirius, the Dog Star, is very bright and close to the sun this time of year. Ancient Egyptians thought that it added to the sun's heat, and it's hard not to believe them in Texas!!
When we can see it pulling ahead of the sun on late August mornings, we'll start to cool off, but that's still weeks away.
Evening Skies: Venus is the bright evening star in the west after sunset. The summer stars of Sagittarius, Scorpio, and the Summer Triangle are high in the sky. They'll drop lower into the west as we get closer to fall.
Full Moon: August 28.
Morning Skies: Jupiter will slowly become a bright morning star in the east before sunrise! It will follow Sirius and the fall stars, including Orion, rising ahead of the sun.
Quarry/Outdoors: Chimney Swifts fill the air, Cicadas are singing, Herons and Egrets are in lake and creek shallows. You never know what you'll see: photo is of a wild looking "Polyphemus Moth." It's named for the one eyed monster in The Odyssey. Some 5th graders were surprised by him at the Quarry years ago. wild-lookingone-eyed
School starts soon, ready or not, but get outside when you can. You never know what you’ll see!
PKL
