A Brightly Shining Jupiter Will Soon Steal Spotlight

This is a tale of two planets: During August, Jupiter is seen throughout the night as a brilliant beacon sauntering across the heavens, while Saturn's rings now appear flat.

Jupiter reaches "opposition" Aug. 14, which means that from Earth's perspective, the large planet is opposite the sun. Thus, when the sun sets in the west, you can look across the heavens to watch Jupiter ascend the eastern sky. Essentially, the negative second magnitude planet will be visible all night long. Locate this large, gaseous ball in the constellation Capricornus.

The full moon is near Jupiter early in the month. On Aug. 5, the full moon will be to Jupiter's right, but on the next night, the moon can be observed on the planet's left.

Find Saturn very low in the western sky at dusk. It takes Saturn about 29 1/2 years to orbit the sun, which splits Earth's view of the northern and southern sides of the planet's rings.

For the past decade and a half, we've enjoyed the southern view of Saturn's rings, and now we will begin to observe the northern perspective -- until 2025. In the transition, the rings look flat to us on Earth. Throughout August, Saturn teeters in the sun's glare, and it is very hard to find. Not to worry: Saturn will return to our skies in a few months.

The fleet Mercury joins Saturn in the western sky at dusk, but the light at dusk makes both hard to find. In mid-August, the two planets enjoy a short jaunt, as they get close Aug. 15. Saturn is the higher of the two.

Venus is easy to spot in the morning sky, as its negative fourth magnitude (very bright) appearance ensures attention. Venus now climbs the east-northeastern horizon about 3:30 a.m., and you can observe the dazzling planet for a few hours before sunrise. Find it in the Gemini constellation. At month's end, Venus rises a little later, but the sun rises later as well.

Earth's reddish neighbor Mars rises slightly earlier than Venus in the east and, at first magnitude, is far dimmer.

Lather up for a meteor shower: This year's Perseid meteors battle the light from a gibbous moon overnight Aug. 11.

Technically speaking, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse at dusk Aug. 5, but it will be difficult, if not downright impossible, to see. The shadows that Earth casts upon the moon will be imperceptible to the human eye. A penumbral eclipse is when the moon travels through the outer perimeter of Earth's shadow.

Down-to-Earth Events

Wednesday -- Astronomer Nelly Mouawad talks on the Messenger mission at the open house of the University of Maryland Observatory, College Park. Night sky observing afterward, weather permitting. 9 p.m. 301-405-6555; http://www.astro.umd.edu/openhouse.

Aug. 20 -- Melissa Hayes-Gehrke, astronomer, discusses "Spectroscopy: Looking at Astronomical Objects in a Different Light" at the open house of the University of Maryland Observatory, College Park. Afterward, see the heavens through a telescope, weather permitting. 9 p.m. 301-405-6555; http://www.astro.umd.edu/openhouse.

Aug. 22 -- Enjoy the darkness of the night sky and the warmth of summer. Observe the heavens through telescopes with astronomer Sean O'Brien of the National Air and Space Museum at Sky Meadows State Park near Paris, Va. Parking: $4. Arrive before dark. 8-11 p.m. 540-592-3556; http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/skywatching.

Aug. 22 -- Behold the heavens at "Exploring the Sky" at Rock Creek Park, presented by the National Capital Astronomers and the National Park Service. Meet near the Nature Center in the field south of Military and Glover roads NW. 8:30 p.m. 202-895-6070.Blaine Friedlander may be reached at PostSkyWatch@aol.com.