Look At The Sky: June

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/790-june-2018-sky-events-calendar

The Planets for June:

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Mercury - tiny Mercury is far too close to the sun for viewing all of June, except for some quick views in strong twilight right before it sets in late June - in GEMINI

Venus - our brightest planet will be high in the dark sky about 7 p.m.. local time, low in western skies; telescopically Venus presents a "gibbous phase", about 20% less than "fully illuminated" as we see it from Earth.  Other than the moon, when in the sky, Venus is the brightest object visible in the night sky this month - in GEMINI

Mars - still getting larger and brighter as we see it from Earth, the Red Planet dominates the southern skies along with its yellowish counterpart SATURN, which is equally bright and west of Mars.  Mars is rapidly approaching opposition and is nearly 16" arc across this month and is south of overhead a dawn.  Telescopes can now reveal the dark maria surface markings and white/blue clouds can be seen streaking across the surface under high magnification on a very steady night - in CAPRICORNUS

Jupiter - just past opposition, Jupiter is now high overhead about 11 p.m. local time and an ideal target all night long for your local star parties; there has been very much transient massive storm activity on Jupiter in early 2018, so this is a great month to start viewing the largest planet in our solar system - in LIBRA

Saturn - appearing as a very brilliant yellow star, Saturn is nearly overhead for northern observers at midnight and reaches OPPOSITION on June 27....a very favorable June 2017 for viewing this magnificent planet.  Rising in the east at sundown, this is a perfect target for all star parties since it is visible from dusk until dawn, although a very low southerly opposition for northern observers - in OPHIUCHUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus rises about 4 a.m. local time and shines at magnitude 5.9, bright enough to spot in good binoculars if one knows where to look; use a good planetarium sky program or GO TO telescope to locate this distant world; by sunrise it is high in eastern skies and will show a faint, blue disk in large telescopes - in PISCES

Neptune - look for faint Neptune in large telescopes at midmonth rising about 2:00 a.m. local time; in PISCES

Pluto - at magnitude 14.1, our most distant planet (yes....it is a planet) rises in southeastern skies about one hour after brilliant SATURN, and follows closely to the ringed planet's east and is due west of reddish MARS.  It is very low in southern skies, south of overhead about 3:30 a.m. local time; only 12 inch and larger telescopes can spot this world visually. - in SAGITTARIUS

METEOR SHOWERS for June 2018:

Observe when the moon does not interfere and attempt to observe AFTER midnight for most meteors to be seen!  For June, there are no less than 13 (!!) meteor showers, some of which provide for wonderful spring sky shows, provided that the light of the moon does not interfere.  However, as with a months and times during the year, observers should always be aware that new sporadic meteor showers can occur at anytime from seemingly unknown sources and radiants.

June 3 - Tau Herculid Meteors - Beginning in late may and extending through June, this is a month-long minor meteor shower, overhead for mid-northern latitudes at about 10 a.m.; this will be a poor month for observing these meteors, since the moon will be gibbous and in the sky all night;  the meteor shower is overhead at midnight when most of the 15 meteors per hours might be seen.  

June 4 - Alpha Circinid Meteors - This southern hemisphere meteor shower does produce some long-trailed meteors that can be seen low in northern hemisphere skies, traveling from south to north; it was discovered in 1977 by Australian amateur astronomers when 15 very swift meteors were noted per hour; for southern latitudes north of the equator, the meteor shower radiant is actually above the southern horizon at Midnight, so only the brightest meteors can be seen....this shower is in need of observation and continued confirmation.  The moon will hamper observations this year.

June 5 - Scorpiid Meteors - A very interesting meteor shower with TWO radiants rather than just one as is typically found with annual meteor showers; both radiants are nearly on the meridian at midnight, so observers are suggested to put their feet to the south and look overhead for these meteors; about 3 a.m. local time (the moon will be strong in the sky all night this year!...); in dark skies observers should normally see at least 20 meteors per hour when the moon is absent.  Note that not only are the number of meteors impressive with this shower, but also the sky itself, since the meteors will be coming from near the summer Milky Way star clouds, revealing one of the richest star fields visible to the naked eye and camera.  Best to begin observations about 10 p.m. and continue until 3 a.m. local time; radiant average is at R.A. 16h 40m; DEC -17 degrees.   .

June 7 - Arietid Meteors - From the constellation of Aries, this is another month-long meteor shower, and can peak on this date with as many as 60 meteors per hour in dark skies. This has been confirmed by radar, but less than that number can be expected visually, perhaps up to 30.  Wait until about 3 a.m. local time to assure that the radiant (low on the eastern horizon) is high enough above local haze and moisture to reveal these meteors.  These are very fine, slow meteors which leave spectacular trains, and frequently split into Bolides, or "fireballs."  The fireballs should be easily seen in all areas of the sky, although the radiant is nearly overhead about the time of peak. This is a fair year to attempt to observe these meteors since the moon is last quarter....... the fireballs can typically be seen in spite of bright moonlight.

June 7 - Zeta Perseid Meteors - On the same night as the Arietids, this meteor shower is less spectacular, with perhaps 15 per hour visible in earliest pre-dawn skies; radar reveals as many as 40 per hour after sunrise.

June 8 - Librid Meteors - A very minor meteor shower from a very large constellation, expect only a few per hour; evidence suggests that this meteor cloud might be dissipating, and no known cometary source is associated with this minor display; observations are badly needed.  Coordinates of radiant:  R.A. 15h 09m; DEC -28 degrees.  The moon will slightly interfere after 1 a.m. with observations this year.

June 11 - Sagittariid Meteors - This is a two-week-long meteor shower beginning in early June; fortunately in 2018, the waning crescent moon will not be a factor in observing these meteors. The radiant rises in the extreme SE sky about 11 p.m. local time and about a dozen meteors per hour in dark skies might be expected.   VERY low in the southern skies for northern observers, at -35 degrees DEC.

June 13 - Theta Ophiuchid Meteors - Coming from the border of Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, and Scorpius, this radiant rises about 9 p.m., giving a window of good observing ALL NIGHT with no moon in sight this year;  hence, all members of this shower will be seen this year.  However, those that do grace our skies are bright and spectacular, so be alert to these meteors if you are observing and happen upon a fireball from this area.

June 16 - June Lyrid Meteors - This is a companion meteor shower to the more-active May Lyrid meteors; this year will be an excellent year for the June Lyrids, since the moon will be a tiny waxing crescent and will not interfere with this meteor shower.   The radiant is nearly directly overhead at midnight near the bright star Vega for mid-northern latitudes; since most of these meteors are very faint, observations will be excellent  this year with no moonlight interfering.  This is but one of many meteor showers that have been discovered by amateur astronomers since 1960....this one has been seen every year since 1966.

June 20 - Ophiuchid Meteors - A fair year for this shower, since the moon is now first quarter and will be setting about midnight.  The radiant rises highest in the sky at 11:25 p.m. local time.  The radiant sets about sun-up, so few meteors should be seen throughout our skies throughout this year's "window"; this is an interesting meteor shower since the number per hour can vary from as few as 8 per hour to over 26 per hour on any given year.

June 26 - Corvid Meteors - Very poor prospects this year, since the  moon's light will be dominating the night sky on this date.  This is one of the shortest duration of all meteor showers, lasting only 5 days at most, with perhaps 10 meteors per hour seen to any observer; these originate near the small constellation trapezoid of Corvus, the Crow and the last good showing was in 1937.  Astronomers speculate that these meteors are a product of some as-yet undiscovered comet.  Since it has been years since a good showing and since the source is unknown, this is a very important meteor shower for a group project.  Radiant: R.A. 12h 48m; DEC -19 degrees.

June 29 - Beta Taurid Meteors - Here is a different type of meteor shower....one you CAN'T see~!  This is a daylight meteor storm that is of interest to those with ham radios, or those with long-distance shortwave receivers tuned to a distant station toward the direction of the radiant (Taurus. R.A. 05h 44m; DEC +19 degrees); ham operators have recorded a dependable 30+ meteors per hour each year.  BUT.....at least the moon can't interfere with THIS one!

June 30 - June Draconid Meteors - This is a poor year for observers this month in terms of sky position because moonlight will light the sky throughout nighttime  hours.   Known in the past as the "Pons-Winnecke Meteors" (from the comet of origin), this can be an incredibly spectacular meteor shower; in 1916 over 100 very bright meteors were seen in fireworks style, but it appears that the numbers may be waning as years progress.  Being irregular, observers are cautioned that there may be as few as 10 per hour or well over 100 per hour; with the high declinations (radiant:  R.A. 15h 12m, DEC +49 degrees), the shower will rise about the beginning of astronomical darkness and be in the sky all night long, highest just after midnight in high northern skies.  A poor year for this one.... but look for the brighter ones maybe high in northern skies!

Look At The Sky: May

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/788-may-2018-sky-events-calendar

The Planets for MAY:

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Mercury - Mercury can be found in very bright twilight (telescopically) just east of Uranus at sunrise at midmonth. However overall this is a very poor month to see our innermost planet  - in PISCES

Venus - our brightest planet will be Venus, as it presents a "gibbous phase" toward Earth this month and gives us an incredible opportunity to enjoy our "Evening Star" throughout the month as it shine high in western dark skies as late as 7:30 p.m. - in TAURUS.

Mars - Mars is now rapidly decreasing its distance to earth and hence becoming brighter and larger; at nearly 13" arc diameter this month, at midmonth Mars will be south of overhead at the break of dawn, one of the brightest objects in the sky; look for bright yellow SATURN to its right (west) at the "top of the teapot" of Sagittarius, and note that PLUTO is located almost midway between these two bright planets (see below).  - in SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter - At opposition on MAY 9, visible from sunset to sunrise and favorably placed overhead at midnight!  It is quite large and bright this month, being almost 45" arc in diameter, nearly four times the apparent size of Mars in your telescope - in VIRGO

Saturn - The magnificent ringed planet will be high overhead for northern latitudes at about 4:30 a.m. local time and will be dominant as mighty Jupiter is setting in the west at this time.  This is a wonderful month to view the ring system.  Nearly all month look for Saturn just to the right (west of) the bright red planet MARS.  Distant Pluto is between these two as well. - in SAGITTARIUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus is rising very shortly before the sun at mid-month, about 5 a.m. local time.  Look for Uranus VERY close to elusive little Mercury on the 15th at about dawn in eastern skies; Uranus attains magnitude 5.9, which in theory should make it visible to the naked eye.   Uranus will rise a bit early each morning as we approach summer.  - in PISCES

Neptune - Our most distant world other than of Pluto, is now rising about an three hours before twilight in the east; at magnitude 7.8, it is visible in small telescopes as a star-like object with little or no detail visible - in AQUARIUS

Pluto - at magnitude 14.2, our most distant planet (yes....it is a planet) rises about midnight and is south of overhead by dawn, just east of the "teapot" in Sagittarius and midway between brilliant yellow Saturn to its west and ruddy red MARS to its east.  - in SAGITTARIUS

Meteor Showers for May 2018

For May, there are three meteor showers, some of which provide for wonderful spring sky shows, provided that the light of the moon does not interfere.  However, as with all months and times during the year, observers should always be aware that new sporadic meteor showers can occur at anytime from seemingly unknown sources and radiants.  MAY is always an excellent time to go outside and view the heavens and the interloping meteors among them; typically in most locations, whether spring in the northern hemisphere or fall in the southern, the skies are crisp and clear. Most of May’s meteor showers occur early in the month.  NOTE that maximum meteor counts can ONLY be seen with the absence of the MOON in the sky....consult the daily calendar below for moon phases during May.

May 1 – PHI BOOTID METEORS - A really long term meteor shower that actually begins on or about April 16 and persists until May 12, emanating from the constellation of Bootes AND Hercules (the radiant has indeed moved in recent years!), high in the eastern sky at dark, and remain so for most of the night for northern latitudes.  The best time to observe the most of these meteors is always about 2 a.m. local time. About 6 meteors can be seen per hour, most medium bright, relative fast and pretty much overhead, all traced back to northwestern Hercules.  Nearly FULL moon throughout this shower for 2018.

May 3 – ALPHA SCORPIID METEORS - The peak of this shower takes place during the week of this year’s nearly full moon, so the faintest members of this meteor shower will not be seen for several nights before and after the actual peak date.  The minor meteor shower is another long duration one, beginning in early April on the Libra-Scorpius border and slowly moving into the constellation of Ophiuchus by May 9!  The motion of this radiant is of much interest to astronomers and your detection of meteors from night to night as to where they appear to originate is very important; the radiant will rise in the far southeastern sky about 9 p.m. local time and be overhead at 1 p.m. the following morning.

May 5-6 – ETA AQUARID METEORS - Strong Gibbous Moon in sky for 2018.....Normally one of the finest meteor showers of each year, the Eta Aquarid meteors were recorded as early as 401 A.D. by the ancient Chinese stargazers.....now we know them to be part of TWO debris clouds left in the wake of famous HALLEY’s COMET through which the earth passes each year.  Meteors can be seen from this shower all the time from April 21 through May 12, but the peak is fairly steep and occurs each year on May 4.....look for brilliant and spectacularly exciting fireballs from May 9 through 11.   The radiant for this meteor shower is located very near the star asterism known as “The Water Jar” in Aquarius, but moves a bit northeast each day through the long period the meteoric cloud persists around the earth.  Note that this meteor shower for northern latitudes is very low in southern skies...most meteors should be seen coming from the EAST horizon (not overhead like most showers!) about 2 a.m......but by 7 a.m., note that the most frequent meteors appear to originate about halfway from that point to overhead.  On most dates with not-so-dark skies up to 10 Eta Aquarids per hour might be expected, most bright and leaving glowing “fireball” trails behind them.   Thus, most years are excellent in hopes of seeing these fine meteors, and the very faint as well as the many bright fireballs may be seen.

Look At The Sky: April

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/785-april-2018-sky-events-calendar

The Planets for APRIL 2018:

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Mercury - Mercury remains in the bright pre-sunrise skies very near the sun and is not favorably placed for viewing this month - in PISCES

Venus - our brightest planet will remain somewhat stationary as we see it this month, hovering above the western horizon, visible in dark skies about 8 p.m. local time.  Look for a beautiful grouping on around April 20-28 while Venus slowly moves eastward, located about mid-way between the bright naked eye star cluster, HYADES and PLEIADES - in TAURUS.

Mars - Mars is approaching closer by the day now, rising in the east about 2:30 a.m. local time and very close to the bright yellow planet SATURN, located midway between that ringed planet and the distant planet PLUTO to its east.  Mars is getting close enough now that moderate telescopes are detecting Martian clouds and dust and much transient detail on the Red Planet.  At magnitude 0.0 this month, Mars is only very slightly brighter than Saturn, but compare the reddish color.  - in SAGITTARIUS.

Jupiter - Now overhead around 3 p.m. and in the sky all night long, Jupiter rises in the east after midnight  and is high overhead about the time morning dawn breaks.  This is a very favorable time to view Jupiter since it is brightest and closest to Earth during March, April and May; NOTE that Jupiter is at opposition on the evening of April 7.  Jupiter joins SATURN and MARS and distant PLUTO to dominate the evening skies - in LIBRA

Saturn - Rising only an half hour earlier in the low SE skies than MARS (see above), brilliant Saturn is displaying its mighty rings angled toward us magnificently this month. Very low in southern skies, the ringed planet appears very yellow and just to the right (west) of reddish Mars. - in SAGITTARIUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus is in conjunction with the sun this month and will not be seen....it will be later in early summer before it emerges in dawn twilight in the east - in ARIES

Neptune - Our most distant world other than of Pluto, is now rising about  twilight in the east; at magnitude 7.8, it is visible in small telescopes as a star-like object with little or no detail visible.  Look for this planet to be very close to the thin crescent waning moon on April 12 - in PISCES

Pluto - at magnitude 14.2, our most distant planet (yes....it is a planet) will begin to be visible higher in southeastern skies this month, just east of the "teapot" in brilliant MARS and then SATURN.  Rising about 3 a.m. local time at mid-month, the distant world requires a large telescope to view.  - in SAGITTARIUS

Meteor Showers for April 2018

Observe when the moon does not interfere and attempt to observe AFTER midnight for most meteors to be seen!  For April, there are no less than NINE meteor showers, some of which provide for wonderful spring sky shows, provided that the light of the moon does not interfere.  However, as with a months and times during the year, observers should always be aware that new sporadic meteor showers can occur at anytime from seemingly unknown sources and radiants.  NOTE:  one of the most interesting of all meteor showers is the odd “April Fireballs” (see below) which occur this month.

April 4 - Kappa Serpentid Meteors - This is a one-week-duration meteor shower, from April 1 through 7, with somewhat of a mild peak about midway through that period; look for the radiant to rise in the constellation of Serpens about 8 p.m. local time just south of due east and be nearly overhead for observers in southern latitudes of the northern hemisphere at about 2 a.m.  Several meteors per hour should be seen from this minor radiant in normal years, and this year is fair since the moon will be about full and thus hamper most observations of this shower..

April 7 - Delta Draconid Meteors - With no particular peak to speak of, this is one of those “circumpolar” meteor showers for northern hemisphere observers that will be in the sky pretty much all night; it is a very long duration shower from late March until about April 17.  Found only in 1971 in the constellation of Draco, the meteors are conspicuously slow and leave very fine trains in their wakes; to view the most meteors from this now-annual shower, set up about 10 p.m. local time and face somewhat northeast; as the night progresses the meteors will be originating more and more from very high northern skies....thus after midnight direct your sights to nearly directly overhead, the ZENITH.  Note that the moon, slightly less than full and very bright before midnight will hamper observations during the early hours of the night

April 10 - Virginid Meteors - This is the first of THREE meteor showers which appear to emanate from the constellation of VIRGO during the month of April each year.  A two-week display, the meteors can be seen coming from just south of overhead (northern hemisphere) from April 1 through 15 with no definite peak; to differentiate THIS shower from the other two, the radiant is centered at near right ascension 12h 24m / declination 00 degrees.  This year the moon is gibbous and its light will interfere all night, so this will be an unfavorable year for this meteor shower..

April 14 - THE APRIL FIREBALLS - Doc's Favorite of All Meteor Showers.....a good year for this interesting shower in early evening hours prior to the rising of the last quarter moon around midnight.  Get out early...., but then again being bright fireballs, these can be seen in spite of moonlight or even city lights!   As its name suggests, this can sometimes be a pretty spectacular display if the conditions are right and the skies are dark;  however, during times of the new moon - as it was in 2010 - , these huge and bright fireballs come streaking clearly across our crisp and clear springtime skies along with countless fainter meteors that are associated with no identified meteor swarm.  This unusual display lasts for the last two full weeks of April....there is no known radiant or seeming point of origin for this curious group, and they can be seen originating from just about any part of the dark night sky.  They likewise are not - or appear to not be - associated with any other known major or minor meteor shower group.  The April Fireballs are characterized by tremendously bright meteors, nearly all of which demonstrate beautiful and long-lasting trails through the sky.   Even with the bright moon however, with their brightness, the light should not interfere for observing these very spectacular meteors.  Always look for the April Fireballs late in the night, preferably after midnight.   NOTE:  several of these renegade meteors have been known to reach the ground as meteorites!  Heads UP!

April 17 - Sigma Leonid Meteors - The Sigma Leonids are no longer “in” Leo....they have migrated it seems into Virgo to become one of our three Virgo showers for April.  The radiant is up early, just due south of overhead about 9:30 p.m. local time; this is a minor shower with only a few members seen on dark nights per hour.  The last quarter moon will be absent from the sky until about 2 a.m. so it should not interfere with early observations of this shower

April 22 - The Lyrid Meteor Shower - Other than some spectacular fireworks from the April Fireballs (see above), this is April’s most dependable meteor showers and typically one of the best of each year; this year the new moon will not interfere with any observing of meteors after midnight, typically the best time to view the greatest number of Lyrids.  This shower is comprised of cometary debris from Comet Thatcher, a very famous comet last seen in 1861.  Although this associated comet was not identified until only 100 or so years ago, this meteor shower from its demise is one of the oldest known on record, being recorded by the ancient Chinese stargazers first in 687 B.C.  As with many meteor showers - and the comets they come from - this one seems to be waning with every encounter with the earth however.  It is no longer the sky spectacle as recorded by those earliest sky watchers.  Look for the meteors to emanate from a point on the Hercules-Lyra border, very near the brilliant blue-white star Vega.  The radiant rises about 7:30 p.m. local time, but the best time to see the most meteors each year is always around midnight when the radiant is nearly directly overhead at midnight for northern hemisphere observers.

April 25 Mu Virginid Meteors - This is our third of three meteor showers within the constellation of Virgo for the month of April, and is south of overhead about 1 a.m. local time, far in the eastern realms of the large Virgo constellation; it takes dark, moonless skies to see the few  - only about 7 per hour - meteors from this annual minor display.  The moon will not interfere with this month's observation of this meteor shower.

April 23 - Grigg-Skjellerup Meteors - Here is an oddity just by its name...the only annual meteor shower known by the comet from which the meteoroid cloud came!  It also is unique in that it is a “localized” meteor shower, visible only in certain parts of the world, but not others, on each pass.  For example, there was a brilliant display of these meteors seen in New Zealand in 1977....but not one in the United States.  If visible, they will be seen early in the evening, originating south of overhead.  At right ascension 07h 48m / declination -45 degrees, these will appear to be coming literally from the south horizon for northern hemisphere observers, perhaps the only way to differentiate them from the other meteors showers in the same direction of sky each April.  This year is a great year for this unusual meteor shower since the moon will not interfere with your dark skies after it sets around 11 p.m.

April 28 - Alpha Bootid Meteors - Coming from a point very near the bright “alpha star” Capella in the constellation of Bootes, this radiant is in the sky from dusk until dawn, and nearly overhead at about 1 a.m.  Look for these meteors to be few, BUT those that are seen are typically very fine fireballs moving slowly across the sky and leaving beautiful “smoky trails” behind them.  Observers will NOT be hampered by moonlight for this shower in 2018 - the radiant rises about 3-4 hours after sunset, and the moon will be nearly full and dominating the skies during this meteor shower.

Look At The Sky: March

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/782-march-2018-sky-events-calendar

The Planets for MARCH 2018:

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NOTE that MOST of the observable planets for this month are in morning skies, with Jupiter dominating and highlighting the planets this month!

Mercury - Mercury is unfavorably placed in solar glare through March 2018, but will be visible low in western skies at dusk close to bright VENUS at about 8 p.m. local time before setting by dark - in PISCES

Venus - our brightest planet will be very low in bright western skies at about 8 p.m. local time and only visible for a brief time before setting; a rather poor month to view   - in PISCES.

Mars - Mars will once again be coming into prominence in 2018 and this month early rises about 2:30 a.m. local time.  The Red Planet is already larger in March than it has been for the past two years, nearly 7 arc seconds across, still very small compared to Jupiter and Saturn.  By late month, Mars' apparent telescopic diameter will have grown as will its brightness; by month's end, Mars will pass very close to the south of yellowish SATURN during the last couple of days of March into the first days of April - in SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter - Now rising in the EAST about midnight local time, mighty and bright Jupiter is quite large already (nearly 41" arc) and will be high overhead by morning's dawn late in the month; a very favorable duration of the months to come for our largest planet- in LIBRA

Saturn - Very low in southeastern skies and rising about 3:30 a.m. local time, the ringed planet will make its yearly debut in predawn skies by mid-month.  Although destined to be a very nice object by summer throughout the night, this magnificent planet will be placed very low in the south throughout the year and hence somewhat less favorable for northern observers - in Sagittarius

Uranus - distant planet Uranus is setting in the west near Venus at mid-month.   It shines at magnitude 5.9, but will be visible in rather bright skies at dusk for only a brief time; as days progress this month, Uranus enters conjunction with the sun and will not be visible - PISCES

Neptune - Our most distant world, outside of Pluto, is now rising only a very short time ahead of the sun in strong twilight and will not be viewable for a couple of months.. - in AQUARIUS

Meteor Showers for March 2018

Always observe any meteor shower if possible when the MOON is absent from the sky; observing beginning at 11 p.m. and continuing until very early morning the following day will always result in increasing numbers of meteors seen for most meteor showers.

March 16 - Corona-Australid Meteors - An excellent year for this meteor shower since the moon is very near new phase and thus absent from the sky, and not hamper late night/early morning meteor observing of this very short duration and very southerly shower.   This brief shower, emanating as its name implies from within the southern constellation of Corona Australis, begins typically around March 14 and members can be traced back to that radiant until March 18; from the United States and Europe, this shower never gets above 7 degrees for its radiant, but brighter meteors can be seen streaking from south to north from it; as many as 15-17 meteors can be seen hourly in good conditions.

March 22 - Camelopardalid Meteors - Already high in the sky at dark, this meteor shower really has no definite peak, but a few meteors per hour can be seen coming from this very high northern meteor shower, only 22 degrees from the northern celestial pole;  hence it is "up all night" for those braving the cold temperatures of March.  Not only are there very few meteors to be seen from this rather dull shower, but the ones that ARE noticed travel the slowest across the sky of all known meteors....only about 7 kilometers per second!  We see them as they begin to burn at an altitude of about 80 kms (~50 miles) above the Earth's surface.  If you are interested, attempt to spot meteors from dark until about dawn but note that the absence of moonlight AFTER MIDNIGHT in 2018  local time) will allow for ideal conditions. 

March 22 - March Geminid Meteors - A good year for this meteor shower, since the moon will be absent in the sky after midnight local time....Discovered in 1973 by amateur astronomers, much is still to be learned on this shower, so this is one where you can make a valuable contribution by observing.  The radiant is high overhead for northern hemisphere observers at the time the sky truly gets dark, but because of bright moonlight, only the brightest meteors (if any) will be seen.   When first discovered in Hungary, nearly 50 meteors per hour in a short-burst stream were seen and this was confirmed again with sightings in 1975.  Like the Camelopardalids (above), the meteors in this stream are very slow and there is some possibility that the two showers could be linked to two diffuse clouds of debris from one parent object.  Any meteors from this unusual and elusive shower should be reported immediately to the American Meteor Society at:  kronk@amsmeteors.org .

Look At The Sky: February

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/781-february-2018-sky-events-calendarf

The Planets for FEBRUARY 2018:

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HERE IT IS!  Maybe the ONLY time in your life that you can say that you have experience ALL  of the main objects in the SOLAR SYSTEM being 'visible' (as in, "in the sky") for you at one time.  From ASO calculations for mid-northern latitudes, at about 10 a.m. on February 14 of this year EVERY object in our solar system will be in the sky at the same time.  Starting EAST to WEST we have:

Earth (you will be standing on it!), Uranus, Neptune, Venus, the Sun, Mercury, Moon, Pluto, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter stretched across our skies.  Of course at 10 a.m. because of sunlight you will not be able to actually SEE all of these, but look up and imagine this string of mighty worlds stretched in front of you like a celestial rope from the eastern horizon to the west.

Mercury - Mercury is unfavorably placed in the sky and is in very strong twilight all month - in CAPRICORNUS

Venus - our brightest planet will not be away from solar glare throughout the month of Feb. 2018  - in AQUARIUS.

Mars - Our Red Planet rises about 2:30 a.m. local time and will be high enough for telescopic observations around daybreak; Mars is slowly getting closer to Earth and growing in baby steps in size as it approaches for a very favorable opposition in late 2018 - in OPHIUCHUS

Jupiter - Now rising in the EAST about an hour ahead of reddish MARS, the largest of all planets will be high in eastern skies by dawn local time; although gaining apparent size as it gets slowly closer to Earth, Jupiter in Feb. is still very small (37") compared to what it can size up to at maximum - in LIBRA

Saturn - Very low in eastern skies and rising about 3:30 a.m. local time, the ringed planet will make its yearly debut in predawn skies by midmonth - in OPHIUCHUS/Sagittarius

Uranus - distant planet Uranus is setting in the west near Mars and Venus at mid-month.   It shines at magnitude 5.9, but not bright enough to spot in good binoculars because of its lingering in strong solar glare throughout the month - in  PISCES

Neptune - Our most distant world, outside of Pluto, is now in strong twilight in western skies and will not be viewable for a couple of months.. - in AQUARIUS

Pluto - at magnitude 14.3, our most distant planet (yes....it is a planet) will not rise until about 5 a.m. at mid-month and be very low in the east.  - in SAGITTARIUS

METEOR SHOWER for February 2018:  .

February 26 -  DELTA LEONID METEORS - With the moon being nearly full on both days on either side of this date of this minor meteor shower, 2018 will prove to be an very poor year for observing the Delta Leonid meteors (or any meteors) it appears......and..this one is the only meteor shower that February has to offer each year.   The Earth actually intersects the cloud of cometary or asteroidal (the actual source of the cloud is not known at this time....) as early as Feb. 5 each year and seems to be encountering meteoric material as late as March 19; nonetheless, there IS a definite peak each year that seems to center on the last few days of February.  These are moderately slow meteors, traveling at about 24 KPS, and only about five per hour can be expected at most.  The radiant, at astronomical coordinates: RA 10h 36m / DEC +19 deg, is found about midway between the moderately bright stars Zosma and Algeiba (the two that make the long stretch of the Lion's Back in Leo); look for these stars and the meteor shower to be nearly overhead for mid-northern latitudes about 11 p.m. local time, with most meteors seen well after.

Look At The Sky - January

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/780-january-2018-sky-events-calendar

RARE DOUBLE "SUPER MOON" FOR JANUARY, 2018!

Well, this does not happen often....there are TWO full moons in January 2018 which is somewhat rare in itself (two full moons in the same month result in the second being called the "Blue Moon"), and each one of them just happens to be near its closest point to Earth in its 27.5-day orbit around our planet!  Two full moons, two Super moons and one Blue Moon.  Look to the sky on 2 Jan and on 31 Jan. 

AND there is a total lunar eclipse on the 31st for north-western North America, the Pacific, Asia, and Australia.

The Planets for January:

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A VERY COLD month, and mostly devoid of bright planets for the early evening hours this year.  Two very interesting very close conjunctions take place this month!

Mercury - Mercury is very close to the eastern horizon in bright dawn skies, and is very closely in conjunction with the ringed planet SATURN on Jan. 13, much like Mars and Jupiter (below); after mid-month the innermost planet will again move eastward toward the horizon and be hidden by the sun's glare at late month.  Both Mercury and Saturn will rise about the first light of dawn, 6 a.m., on Jan. 13 - in SAGITTARIUS

Venus - our brightest planet will not be favorably placed in either morning nor evening skies this month due to proximity to the sun - in SAGITTARIUS.

Mars - A spectacular sight awaits all during the first two weeks of this year, when bright reddish MARS moves eastward in the very early morning skies and appears to overtake mighty yellow JUPITER.  For each day after the first of the year, look for Mars to edge more toward Jupiter until the two are actually within the SAME telescopic field of view, only 0.2 degrees apart on January 7.  Both rise at about 4 a.m. local time and will be high above the eastern horizon before morning twilight.  Mars will be much smaller (less than 5" arc) in the telescope against huge Jupiter (over 40" arc across) but both will be brilliant and in stark contrast in terms of color; Mars will continue a slow trek each following morning toward the east. - in LIBRA

Jupiter - Now rising in the EAST about 4 a.m. local time, the largest of all planets will be high in the east at dawn, although not so large as it will become as the earth-Jupiter distance decreases over the coming months...it will be high enough for telescopic observations by dawn.  See MARS above for the spectacular telescopic conjunction on Jan. 7 - in LIBRA

Saturn - Very low in eastern skies and rising about 6 a.m. local time, the ringed planet will make its yearly debut in predawn skies by mid-month; see MERCURY above for info on the Jan. 13 close conjunction! - in OPHIUCHUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus is overhead about 6 p.m.. local time and is setting in western skies as midnight approaches,  It shines at magnitude 5.9, bright enough to spot in good binoculars if one knows where to look; use a good planetarium sky program or GO TO telescope to locate this distant world; by sunrise it is high in dark skies and will show a faint, blue disk in large telescopes - PISCES

Neptune  - look for faint Neptune in large telescopes at mid-month south and far west of overhead about dusk local time.(mag. 7.6), setting about the time the skies get dark. - in AQUARIUS

Pluto - at magnitude 14.3, our most distant planet (yes....it is a planet)  will not be visible in telescopes because of its proximity to the sun.  - in SAGITTARIUS

METEOR SHOWERS for January 2018:  .

Observe when the moon does not interfere and attempt to observe AFTER midnight for most meteors to be seen!  There are a few notable meteor showers that peak each January:

January 3-4 - QUADRANTID METEORS - The moon will be at a nearly full phase and dominate the skies for most of this evening for this year's showing of this meteor shower.  Always a chance for quite a show...the best that January has to offer each year, but in 2018 the moon will hamper observation of these meteors.  With an incredible short and fast maximum peak of 40 or more meteors possible, it will come and go in a flash (about the time that the sky reaches peak darkness after sunset on the 3rd.   In some years under dark skies, observers have seen up to 600 members of this stream per hour, all traveling at a medium speed of about 41 kps.  Most are very faint, remember, and distinctly blue in color, so fast film is desired if photographing these meteors.  The meteor shower emanates from near and north of the bright star Arcturus in the constellation of Bootes, rising in the northeast about midnight.

January 15-16 - DELTA CANCRID METEORS - Sounding more like a disease than a meteor shower, the Delta Cancrids rise in the east about the same time the sun sets in the west...thus it is nearly directly overhead at midnight each year, in the constellation of Cancer.  The shower radiant is actually just slightly west of the bright and well-known naked eye star cluster, Prasepe or the "beehive."  Only about four meteors per hour can be seen from this shower under good conditions, and this year's NEW MOON  will be absent from the sky throughout the night after about 10 p.m., thus making this a terrific year to observe these meteors ; I suggest setting up around 7 p.m. local time on Jan 15 for best views.  Cold, but fun!

January 18 - COMA BERENICID METEORS - Also coming from very close to a naked eye cluster, the Coma cluster, this meteor shower rises about 10 p.m. (again, NO MOON on this night for this one!) and is directly overhead at pre-dawn.  These are among the fastest meteors known....65 kps (compare to the Quadrantids, above)...BUT expect only a couple of these swift interlopers per hour.  The moon is absent and skies dark for this one if you observe after 1 a.m. local time,  so this is a good year for observing this shower; perhaps some splendid streaking meteors might be visible for those who brave the typically cold nights of January.

Look At The Sky - December

The Planets for December:

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A VERY poor month for viewing the major planets, with virtually all "wow" planets being in either daylight sky or in strong twilight at dusk or dawn; only the distant planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are visible all month in dark skies.

Mercury - Mercury is very difficult all month, setting just after the sun in strong twilight  at midmonth  - in SAGITTARIUS

Venus - the brightest of all planets is low in the west where it remains most of December;  - in AQUARIUS

Mars - Now just WEST of bright yellow JUPITER, the Red Planet is quite distant and is seen as a reddish star just coming up in the eastern skies about 3:30 a.m. local time, followed by brilliant Jupiter some 45 minutes later; Mars' apparent size will grow throughout 2018 and attain a very favorable viewing size for telescopic study in 2018 - in VIRGO

Jupiter - Now rising in the East about 4 a.m. local time and slightly behind reddish MARS; note the distinct color differences between these two planets.  Jupiter begins an exciting apparition for 2018 and is favorably placed throughout the  early spring months.  - in VIRGO

Saturn - Not favorably placed for observation in December . - in OPHIUCHUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus sets in the west about 2 a.m. local time and is south of overhead by about 8 p.m. local time,  It shines at magnitude 5.9, bright enough to spot in good binoculars if one knows where to look; use a good planetarium sky program or GO TO telescope to locate this distant world; by sunrise it is high in dark skies and will show a faint, blue disk in large telescopes - PISCES

Neptune - Now exactly south of overhead by the time the sky is full dark (mid-month), Neptune creeps closer to the western horizon throughout the month and is favorably placed for evening viewing - look for faint Neptune in large telescopes at midmonth south of overhead about 6 p.m. local time.(mag. 7.6). - in AQUARIUS

Pluto - at magnitude 14.1, our most distant planet (yes....it is a planet) is setting in western skies at dark, - only 12 inch and larger telescopes can spot this world visually.  - in SAGITTARIUS

METEOR SHOWERS for December  2017:

Observe when the moon does not interfere and attempt to observe AFTER midnight for most meteors to be seen!.  However, as with a months and times during the year, observers should always be aware that new sporadic meteor showers can occur at anytime from seemingly unknown sources and radiants.  Unfortunately for 2017, the full moon occurs at midmonth, which means that pretty much at least some of these showers are going to be less than impressive in terms of faint meteors.

December 10  - MONOCEROTID meteors - An poor year to explore this minor meteor shower, since the moon  will be third quarter and in  the night after midnight during its mid-peak on Dec. 10.  Observations throughout the night should reveal several of the brighter members of this elusive meteor shower.  Look for these meteors as early as December 1(less moonlight!) and lasting through the 17th.  They emanate very close to the Gemini-Monoceros border, rising in the SE sky at darkness local time and overhead/south about 1:00 a.m., very favorable for both southern and northern hemisphere observers but only when the moon is not in the sky.  In some years up to a dozen meteors per hour can be seen from this shower during moonless nights;  the point of radiant is: RA 06h 50m; DEC +10d.

December 10 - CHI ORIONID meteors - like the Moncerotid meteors that peak on the same night, the light from the moon will hamper observations after midnight .  It is very interesting that the Monocerotid and this shower both peak at nearly the same night....as its name implies, the CHI ORIONID stream has its radiant very near that fairly bright star, and thus the shower members from both showers are hard to differentiate many times; even more interesting is that the Chi Orionid meteors have TWO radiants apparently, one very close to the "horns of the bull" in Taurus and the other further into the constellation of Orion.  Strong waxing gibbous moon to interfere this year.

December 11 - SYGMA HYDRID meteors - These emanate from the head of HYDRA the mighty water snake, and are among the swiftest of meteors know, most being seen even in morning twilight.  They ARE a bit on the faint side because of their speed, but expect about a dozen an hour in dark skies, which we will have in 2016 due to the strong moonlight at peak this year, not setting until just before dawn.  Have you noticed that THESE meteors too, are peaking on the same night as the Chi Orionid and Monocerotid meteors?  However, this radiant (RA 08h 32m ; DEC +02 deg) is far to the east (rising about three hours later) than the other two.

December 13-14 - GEMINID meteors - with the moon at a waning crescent phase and not rising until just hours before dawn, the faithfully rich Geminid Meteors should present an excellent show in December ; for those who stay up late and into the early morning hour to view some of the brighter fireballs may reward your efforts.   The Geminid shower is normally THE meteor shower for December, producing  as many as 60 very white meteors in dark skies...only about 3 % of these meteors leave the characteristic "train" or trail, even when appearing as fireballs;  this is a very unusual meteor shower in that it does NOT originate from debris of a spent comet, but rather from the MINOR PLANET  "Icarus," a very peculiar asteroid that swings by the earth very closely during some passes.  The radiant will rise nearly due EAST at dark and will be conveniently located (for northern hemisphere observers) about midnight; wait until about 10 p.m. this year to view this shower.  ON THE SAME NIGHT is a very minor and newer meteor shower, the "LEO-MINORIDS", from Leo Minor; it will rise due east also, but about 8 p.m. and be overhead around 2 a.m.  This was discovered by casual stargazers in 1971!

December 16 - PISCID  meteors - Found in 1973, about 8 meteors per hour were seen coming from the constellation of Pisces near a distinct radiant at 01h 42m, +09 degrees; few have been seen since, but this year's skies with a nearly new moon in the sky, provides an excellent year for sky watchers to "rediscover" this important meteor stream.

December 20 - DELTA ARIETID meteors - If you want one later in the evening, this is IT!; look for about 10 meteors per hour (the moon this year will be a third quarter, but will be rising from the sky during this meteor shower, so this may be an fair showing this year)  coming from the tiny constellation of Aries.  Overall a good year for this minor shower.

December 22 - URSID METEORS - This meteor shower, coming from within the "Little Dipper" will never rise nor set and you can watch it all night; however, best observations would be about 11 p.m. local time and into the early morning hours.  This is a very good year for the Ursid meteors since the moon will be less than quarter and setting early in the evening..   The meteoroids in this group have origins with the famous Comet Tuttle, and leave many spectacular wakes and smoky trails in their wakes.  Up to 20 meteors per hour under dark skies can be seen to any observer looking nearly due north and "up" a bit!

Look At The Sky: September

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/766-september-2017-sky-events-calendar

The Planets for September:

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Mercury - Mercury is rising in favorable view by the 15th, about 5:45 a.m. local time just as dawn breaks.  Look for equally bright MARS just to the east of Mercury early in the month, but actually passing less than a fraction of a degree from the Red Planet on Sept. 16 - in LEO

Venus - our brightest planet will make its debut early this month, in eastern skies.  You can see Venus in dark skies as it rises about 4:30 a.m. local time at mid-month.  The planet continues to keep pace with the horizon all  month as it moves slowly eastward and appears rather stationary at any specific time from morning to morning. - in LEO

Mars - Now just east of slightly dimmer Mercury and slowly moving eastward to increase that distance every successive night in September. Compare the ruddy red color of Mars with the white color of Mercury.  SEE MERCURY above, very close pass on the 16th!  - in LEO

Jupiter - Now setting only minutes after the sun, our largest planet is embedded in strong twilight and will not be visible for several months; you can cross Jupiter off of your observing lists until winter and Spring 2017 when it will reappear in early morning dawn skies - in VIRGO

Saturn - Now nearly overhead just as dusk approaches, in bright skies overhead at 7 p.m. local time; look for the star ANTARES  just west this bright planet on the 8th; PLUTO is only a short distance to the EAST (left) and the distance between the two of them increases as the month progresses; setting around midnight this month and fairly unfavorable due to the low altitude. - in OPHIUCHUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus rises about 9 p.m. local time and is south of overhead by dawn's fist light.  It shines at magnitude 5.9, bright enough to spot in good binoculars if one knows where to look; use a good planetarium sky program or GO TO telescope to locate this distant world; by sunrise it is high in dark skies and will show a faint, blue disk in large telescopes - in PISCES

Neptune - At OPPOSITION on Sept. 5 (see below) - look for faint Neptune in large telescopes at midmonth rising in the east as the sun sets. local time.(mag. 7.6). - in AQUARIUS

Pluto - at magnitude 14.1, our most distant planet is very low in southern skies, southwest of overhead about 8 p.m. local time; note that at mid-month this distant planet will appear just a couple of degrees to the right (west) of the familiar star pattern "The Teapot - only 12 inch and larger telescopes can spot this world visually.  - in SAGITTARIUS

METEOR SHOWERS for September 2017:

Observe when the moon does not interfere and attempt to observe AFTER midnight for most meteors to be seen!    However, as with all months and times during the year, observers should always be aware that new sporadic meteor showers can occur at anytime from seemingly unknown sources and radiants. 

The advent of crisper skies and cooler temperatures lure many sky watchers outdoors during September to view the impending autumn splendors of the Heavens.  While the day of September, worldwide, can be hot and unbearable, the nights can cool remarkably, resulting in some long glances and time spent among the cosmos.  Most of the meteor showers for September are modest, minor streams with few meteors; however some are unpredictable and thus the sky is worth monitoring during the times posted below!

September 1 - AURIGID meteors (??) - The moon will be first quarter and not set until around midnight.  The meteor stream "should be" highest in the sky; rising in the NE sky about end of dusk.  Note however that meteors from the Aurigid shower have ONLY been seen one year!  That was 1935 when about 30-34 meteors per hour were seen, all very bright and quite rapid as they transited across the sky.  Observations of this curious "one-time" (?) meteor shower, centered at about RA 05h 38m / DEC +42 degrees (in Auriga) are obviously very desired.  Get out after midnight and confirm this meteor shower for us!  Most are calling for this to be a good shower this year, but do plan to observe throughout the night of August 31 and morning of September 1!!

September 6  - LYNCID meteors - from the constellation of LYNX, the meteor shower is about as small and sparse as the constellation from which the radiant of these meteors appears to originate.  This was once a magnificent sky show, literally raining meteors through the sky; in 1037 and 1063 it was logged as "the rain of stars" by Korean sky watchers.  However, little of this seems to be left.  High in the sky during morning hours, look for the meteors coming from RA 06h 40m / DEC +58 degrees; the moon will be absent from the sky when this shower should be at its best, so observers will likely have a good opportunity to see if any revival of this meteor shower can be seen; note that the radiant does not rise until well after midnight, well after the moon has set.  Please report any significant sightings of Lyncids at once to the ASO!

September 7 - EPSILON PERSEID meteors - This is usually a fairly dependable group of meteors producing perhaps 12-15 meteors per hour very low in the NE sky about 10 p.m. when the shower should be its best.....moon sets at midnight, so plan to see what you can of this, and observe this shower pretty much before midnight since it is "circumpolar" and high in northern skies throughout the night for northern hemisphere observers....remember that there will still be some stray PERSEID meteors (see August calendar here on ASO) coming from near the same direction, so it is very easy to get these confused with the Epsilon Perseid shower unless one is very familiar with the sky.

September 14 - SEPT. TAURID METEORS - This is an "iffy" meteor shower, and most experts are calling for a poor showing, particularly with the full moon in the sky;   look for these meteors emanating from Taurus in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, which will be about midway from the eastern horizon to overhead after midnight.  About 13 members of this shower were confirmed in 2002, nearly three quarters of which were about 3rd magnitude; there are actually TWO radiants to this unusual meteor shower, both close together in Taurus;  a very poor year for these elusive meteors since the moon will be full and dominate the sky;  This shower rises in the east about midnight

September 21 - KAPPA AQUARID meteors - this meteor shower is also directly south of overhead (northern hemisphere) about 11 p.m. local time, and continues until the 22nd way past dawn. This is a poor year to observe this lesser meteor shower, since the third quarter moon will be in the sky after midnight.

September 23 - ALPHA AURIGID meteors - moonlight will be a factor in morning skies for this year's Alpha Aurigid meteors and hence even the faintest of these meteors are likely to be not seen in early morning hours; evening and around midnight are favored.  The radiant  rises in the NE sky about 8 p.m. local time and reaches nearly overhead about 5 a.m. very close to the position of this year's 3rd quarter moon and when the most meteors are usually seen.  These meteors are very fast and frequently leave fantastic trains of smoke in their wakes....Because the shower is in high northern skies, US observers can plan to view these high northern meteors all night long.

Look At The Sky: August

Of course the BIG story in August is the total solar eclipse across a portion of the US.  But there are other interesting things going on in the sky besides that!

http://arksky.org/calendar/calendar/764-august-2017-sky-events-calendar

The Planets for August:

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Mercury - Mercury remains hidden by the sun for us, in daylight skies - in LEO

Venus - our brightest planet will not be easy to spot at any time in August, hovering nearly stationary against the eastern morning sky, getting neither higher or lower as the month progresses, but becoming more embedded in twilight toward late month.   - in GEMINI

Mars - Now rapidly increasing its distance from Earth, Mars continues to be hidden in solar glare and will not be viewable for the next couple of months - in CANCER

Jupiter - Now sinking closer to the western horizon each evening during twilight, you can cross Jupiter off of your observing lists until Fall when it will reappear in early morning dawn skies.  It is very low in evening twilight western skies and quite close to the bright star SPICA - in VIRGO

Saturn - Now setting right about midnight local time, the ringed planet is still going to be an easy target and favorite for star parties and neighborhood outings.  This star party favorite will be directly overhead just as evening dusk disappears into darkness.   Note Saturn's yellow color, and the interesting aspect of it not lurking in one of the "Zodiacal Constellations", but far outside the original band of the 12 original Zodiac constellations - in OPHIUCHUS

Uranus - distant planet Uranus rises about 11 p.m. local time and is south of overhead by dawn's fist light.  It shines at magnitude 5.9, bright enough to spot in good binoculars if one knows where to look; use a good planetarium sky program or GO TO telescope to locate this distant world; by sunrise it is high in dark skies and will show a faint, blue disk in large telescopes - in PISCES

Neptune - look for faint Neptune in large telescopes at midmonth south of overhead about 3 a.m. local time.(mag. 7.6); it will be due north (higher) that bright Fomalhaut in southern skies all month, thereby making it a bit easier to spot this distant world. - in AQUARIUS

METEOR SHOWERS for August  2017:

Observe when the moon does not interfere and attempt to observe AFTER midnight for most meteors to be seen!  For August there is, of course, the famous PERSEID METEOR SHOWER, some of which provide for wonderful summer sky shows, provided that the light of the moon does not interfere.  

August 12 - This year's PERSEID meteor shower; what to expect!

Unfortunately this year's Perseid Meteor shower will find a rather large waxing gibbous moon in the sky pretty much all night long (the moon is full on August 7)  The radiant for the Perseids is in the very high northeastern sky and rises well into the night and pretty much opposite the light of the gibbous moon, so some observing might be rewarding; the moon will rise about 11 p.m. providing darker skies and fainter meteors to be seen ONLY in early evening skies.  Nonetheless, there are dozens of huge brilliant and spectacular fireballs that are typically seen from the Perseids, so these can be seen in spite of any lights in the sky.

And YES....there are other meteor showers in August as well:

July 31-Aug 1 - CAPRICORNID METEORS - Actually a two day peak, July 31 and August 1, this is a reliable meteor shower and with this month's NEW MOON falling only days away, this is a very favorable year to experience any meteors from this shower.  Remnants from Comet Honda-Mrkos-Padjusakova, this is an early evening meteor shower; you should prepare to begin observing about the time the sky is completely dark, at the end of twilight, some 2 hours after sunset.   There CAN be as many as 35 meteors per hour from this erratic meteor shower and you should plan to watch until well after midnight.

August 6 - Southern Aquarid Meteors - the moon will be full, so this also is a very poor meteor shower for this month.  Emanating from near the bright star Altair (see article, above!), this is a two-part meteor shower, with this being the first, and the "Northern Aquarid Meteors" being later in the month (August 20-22).  This is a sparse meteor shower but has been known to show off a bit during some years.  Normally expect to see a scant 7-8 meteors per hour during a dark and moonless night from this shower.  The radiant will be favorably placed south of overhead about 11 p.m. local time.  Observations of BOTH the northern and southern phases of this meteor shower are badly needed 

August 20 - Kappa Cygnid Meteors - this is an excellent year with no moon in the sky for this seemingly growing meteor shower; both this shower and the Andromedid meteors occur within days of one-another, and the radiant is best placed nearly overhead for northern observers by about 2 a.m.  Although there can be many Kappa Cygnid meteors flying about, they are many times confused with the Perseids which typically have ended by August 15.  The moon is nearly full for this meteor shower this year and will be in the sky all night, positioned unfortunately very near the radiants of both these showers.

August 31 - Andromedid Meteors - In 1885 observers recorded up to 13,000 Andromedid meteors from this radiant in a one hour period (!).  This quite unpredictable meteor shower originates from debris of Biela's Comet and there are years when the Earth appears to pass directly through dense portions of the old comet cloud and some years where no meteors will be seen.  This year, the moon a bit greater than quarter and will set after midnight so observations should take place early, concentrating overhead, but with feet toward the north east horizon.