* Astronomy

On this day, 30 years ago the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe-2 was launched.

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August should be an exciting month. There will be a meteor shower and a partial lunar eclipse. On the night of the 11th the Perseid meteor showers will be at their peak, radiating from a point in Cassiopeia in the north-east. They can best be seen after 12.30 pm when the Moon has set.
The partial lunar eclipse occurs conveniently at 8.40 pm on Saturday August 16, 15 minutes after sunset in London and half an hour after moonrise. The eclipse will continue until 11.40 pm. At its peak some 80 per cent of the lunar surface will be in shadow.

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August skies are filled with the glittering eyes of distant suns, as the heart of the Milky Way wheels into view for its annual visit.
Our solar system lies on an arm of the spiral galaxy we call home, far removed from its brilliant core of gas, dust and innumerable stars. From this vantage point, we get a beautiful wide-angle view of the galaxys centre. This vista is best enjoyed from the southern hemisphere, or at least thats what I hear. At some point before my body returns to stardust, Id like to get a look at the real thing.

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Mercury: at magnitude -1.7, starts the month in the constellation of Cancer. On August 1st, the planet is close to the moon. The planet is close Venus on the 20th. Best seen from 21.1h -21.3h.
(On August 1st, RA= 9h04m34s Dec=+18°33.7' (J2000) Distance=1.348AU Elongation= 4° Phase k=99% Diameter=5.0")

Venus: is at magnitude -3.9, The planet is in constellation Leo at the start of the month. On August 2nd, the planst is close to the Moon. Venus is close (1 degree) to the star Regulus on the 6th. Venus is in conjunction with Saturn on the 13th. The planet is best seen from 6.8h -21.7h.
(On August 1st, RA= 9h46m32s Dec=+14°58.4' (J2000) Distance=1.654AU Elongation= 15° Phase k=96% Diameter=10.1")

	Moon Phase Now!

Earth: - There is a total solar eclipse on the 1st, (Arctic, Siberia, China).

The Moon is at Perigee on the 26th, (distance to earth center: 368,696 km) and at apogee on the 10th,  (distance to earth center: 404,556 km). there is a Partial lunar eclipse, on the 16th, 19:36 UT to 22:45 UT.

Mars: at magnitude 1.7 starts the month in the constellation Leo. On the 4th the planet is close to the Moon. The planet is best seen from 21.8h -22.2h.
(On August 1st, RA=11h20m16s Dec= +5°09.1' (J2000) Distance=2.293AU Elongation= 39° Phase k=96% Diameter=4.1")

Jupiter: is still bright at magnitude -2.7 in the constellation Sagittarius. Jupiter is at opposition on the 9th, 7:00 UT, (distance to earth: 4.161 AU). The planet is visible all night throughout the entire month. The planet is best seen from 21.1h - 3.2h.
(On August 1st, RA=19h03m30s Dec=-22°52.9' (J2000) Distance=4.228AU Elongation=156° )
The planet Jupiter is a source of huge radio storms. Click the link to hear the live audio stream.
The radio outbursts are in the frequency range 18 - 32 MHz. Sensitive receivers translate Jupiter's radio waves to audio sounds.
For alternative listening site.
for Great RedSpot Transit times.
Check forum for Satellite predictions.

Saturn: at magnitude 0.8 sits in the constellation Leo. The planet is best seen from 21.8h -22.0h. The planet is the brightest object in the constellation and worth a look through binoculars this month. The planet is close to the Moon on August 3rd.
(On August 1st, RA=10h40m07s Dec=+10°12.9' (J2000) Distance=10.209AU Elongation= 28° )
for interactive Saturn moon calculator .

Uranus is in the constellation Aquarius, near Lambda Aquarii, magnitude 3.7. Uranus at magnitude 5.8, has a bluish-green hue and appears 3.7 arcseconds wide. The planet is close to the Moon on the 18th.. The planet is best seen from 22.9h - 3.5h.
(On August 1st, RA=23h32m06s Dec= -3°53.0' (J2000) Distance=19.345AU Elongation=137°)

Neptune: in the constellation Capricornus less than 3 degrees northeast of the 4.3 mag star Iota Capricornii. Neptune is at opposition on the 15th. A telescope will usually show a tiny bluish dot, only 2.5 arcseconds wide (mag 7.8). The planet is best seen from 1.1h - 3.4h.
(On August 1st, RA=21h42m15s Dec=-14°08.4' (J2000) Distance=29.052AU Elongation=166°)

Pluto is in the constellation Sagittarius (mag 13.9). Normally, a finder chart is necessary to help in identifying the 0.1" diameter dwarf planet. The dwarf planet is best seen from 0.7h - 1.5h.
(On August 1st, RA=17h54m47s Dec=-17°09.3' (J2000) Distance=30.723AU Elongation=139°)

The Sun enters the zodiac sign Virgo on the 22nd August.