Astronomical events: August 2026

Aug. 2

Comet 10P/Tempel passes perihelion
Comet 10P/Tempel reaches its closest point to the Sun in its orbit.

Mercury at greatest elongation west
Mercury reaches its greatest apparent distance west of the Sun, making it one of the best opportunities to observe the planet before sunrise.

Aug. 3

Comet 10P/Tempel reaches peak brightness
Comet 10P/Tempel is expected to reach its brightest magnitude during this apparition.

Comet 10P/Tempel passes perigee
The comet makes its closest approach to Earth.

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon passes near Saturn in the predawn sky.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
Saturn appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Aug. 4

Mercury at highest altitude in the morning sky
Mercury reaches its highest point above the eastern horizon before sunrise, offering excellent viewing conditions.

Aug. 5

Mercury at dichotomy
Mercury appears half illuminated as seen from Earth.

Moon at last quarter
Half of the Moon's surface appears illuminated as it enters its last quarter phase.

Aug. 7

Close approach of the Moon and M45 (Pleiades)
The Moon passes near the Pleiades star cluster in the morning sky.

Aug. 8

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri
The Moon passes directly in front of Beta Tauri, temporarily obscuring the star from view.

Aug. 9

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
Mars appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars
The Moon passes near Mars in the morning sky.

Conjunction of Mars and Ceres
Mars and the dwarf planet Ceres appear close together along the same celestial longitude.

Aug. 10

Moon at perigee
The Moon reaches its closest point to Earth and appears slightly larger than average.

Aug. 11

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
Mercury appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Aug. 12

New Moon
The Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun and is not visible in the night sky.

Total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs as the Moon completely covers the Sun along a narrow path across Earth's surface.

Venus at dichotomy
Venus appears half illuminated as viewed from Earth.

Aug. 13

Perseid meteor shower peak
The Perseids reach peak activity, producing up to 100 meteors per hour under dark skies and are known for bright fireballs.

Aug. 14

Moon at perihelion
The Moon reaches the point in its orbit closest to the Sun.

Mercury at perihelion
Mercury reaches its closest point to the Sun in its orbit.

Venus at greatest elongation east
Venus reaches its greatest apparent distance east of the Sun, making it prominent in the evening sky.

Messier 15 well placed
The globular cluster Messier 15 in Pegasus becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Aug. 15

Conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury
Jupiter and Mercury appear close together along the same celestial longitude.

Messier 2 well placed
The globular cluster Messier 2 in Aquarius becomes well positioned for evening observation.

Aug. 16

Close approach of the Moon and Venus
The Moon passes near Venus in the evening sky.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
Venus appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Aug. 18

κ-Cygnid meteor shower peak
The Kappa Cygnids reach peak activity, producing a modest number of slow-moving meteors.

Aug. 19

Moon at first quarter
Half of the Moon appears illuminated as it reaches first quarter.

Aug. 20

Lunar occultation of Antares
The Moon passes in front of Antares, the bright red star in Scorpius.

Aug. 22

Moon at apogee
The Moon reaches its farthest point from Earth and appears slightly smaller than average.

Aug. 23

Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii
The Moon passes directly in front of Sigma Sagittarii, temporarily blocking the star from view.

Aug. 25

Moon at aphelion
The Moon reaches its farthest point from the Sun in its orbit.

Aug. 27

Mercury at superior solar conjunction
Mercury passes behind the Sun from Earth's perspective and becomes difficult to observe.

Partial lunar eclipse
A portion of the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow, creating a partial lunar eclipse visible from parts of the world.

Full Moon
August's Full Moon reaches peak illumination.

Aug. 28

Asteroid 9 Metis at opposition
Asteroid 9 Metis reaches opposition, making it brightest and visible throughout the night.

Aug. 30

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon passes near Saturn in the evening sky.

Aug. 31

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
Saturn appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

—Compiled by Mykel Del Angel