August 2012 Celestial Events

Mars approaches Saturn and Spica

August 6 through August 21, 9:15 p.m.: Mars, Saturn, and the bright star Spica form a tight group in the west-southwest. They effectively form a bright "triple star." (Remember though that Saturn and Mars aren't really stars.)

• August 6: Mars, Saturn and Spica form an equilateral triangle

• August 13 and 14: Mars splits the gap between Saturn and Spica.

• August 21: Mars, Saturn and Spica form an equilateral triangle. This time, Mars lies to the left of the other two.

August 11, 4:30 a.m.: The crescent moon floats next to Jupiter in the east.

August 12 and 13 before 1:30 a.m.: Perseid Meteor Shower. Emanating in the northeast. Up to 60 meteors per hour but most of them will be dim. After 1:30 a.m., the moon rises spoiling the view.

August 13, 4:30 a.m., The thin crescent moon hovers next to Venus in the east..

August 1 and August 31: Full Moon. The August 31 moon is the "Blue Moon," the second full moon in the month.

Such is our view from Earth...