Stargazers in Washington, D.C., are in for a treat as the summer nights bring a plethora of celestial events to enjoy. From the annual Perseid meteor shower to the return of bright planets gracing the sky, there are plenty of reasons to look up in awe during the upcoming months.
One of the highlights of every summer is the Perseid meteor shower, which is set to peak on the evenings of August 11 and 12. This meteor shower is expected to be the best of the year, with up to 100 meteors visible per hour. The Perseids are known for their speed, often leaving bright streaks across the sky for a few seconds after they pass.
Throughout July and August, early morning sky watchers will have the opportunity to spot Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter. Saturn will be the first to rise, followed by Mars and Jupiter later in the night. Additionally, Venus will make its appearance in the west as evening twilight begins in mid-August.
As summer wanes and fall approaches, the Milky Way will become a prominent feature in the night sky. The Summer Triangle grouping, formed by the bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair, will be visible along with some of the galaxy’s brightest star clouds. Binoculars or a small telescope can help viewers distinguish individual stars and clusters within these clouds.
In addition to the celestial events mentioned above, there will be four full moons between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. This includes the Strawberry Moon, Full Buck Moon, Full Sturgeon Moon, and Harvest Moon. The occurrence of four full moons in a single season is quite rare and is known to be one of the definitions of a “Blue Moon.”
Lastly, just before the fall equinox, a partial lunar eclipse is expected to take place on September 18. During this eclipse, a percentage of the moon’s surface will be obscured as the shadow of the Earth passes over it. This event will provide a captivating sight for sky watchers to behold as summer comes to a close.