It's August, arguably the best month of the year for stargazing. The weather gets a little steadier and drier, and the center of the Milky Way, the starriest part of the night sky, lies nearly overhead. And of course, the Perseid meteor shower peaks this month, with the Moon staying mercifully out of the way for the event this year. There are also plenty of
planets to see in the evening sky, including Mars, which has just passed opposition and still shines brightly all month. Jupiter and Saturn remain large enough to afford good views with a telescope, and Venus grows ever brighter in the western sky after sunset.
Here’s what to see in the night sky this month…