A Saturn Sighting, Moon Missions, and the Year’s Last Supermoon Is All Happening This Month

It is onerous to high July’s exoplanet excitement, however August will strive. Not solely is that this the final month to catch one in every of 2022’s three supermoons, it is also the start of a number of lunar missions — with one of many 12 months’s greatest meteor showers blended in.

A few of this month’s night-sky occasions, corresponding to Saturn’s second within the limelight, might be improved with stargazing gear, corresponding to a telescope or binoculars. Others, just like the Perseids meteor bathe, could be witnessed with the bare eye. (As all the time, discovering a dark-sky place will improve your shooting-star odds.)

Able to fill your calendar with August’s high astro happenings? Listed below are 5 occasions to not miss.

August 2: Launch of South Korea’s First Moon Mission

On the night of August 2, South Korea plans to embark on a serious area milestone: It would launch the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, nicknamed Danuri, by way of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Danuri marks the nation’s first expedition to the moon. The vessel’s mission: circle the moon for at the very least one 12 months, measuring magnetic drive atop the moon’s floor whereas analyzing lunar sources, corresponding to water ice, uranium, and silicon, according to Space.com, which notes streaming particulars are but to be launched. Danuri will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and consultants say Danuri will attain lunar orbit by mid-December 2022.

August 11: Last Supermoon of 2022

August 11 will see the final of 2022’s three supermoons. This month’s full moon, nicknamed the “sturgeon moon” by Native Individuals as a result of sturgeon fish caught round this time of 12 months, will seem a contact bigger and brighter than the standard full moon. It reaches its brightest level close to sundown within the northern hemisphere, according to Space.com.

August 11 to 12: Perseids Meteor Bathe Peak

Astro fans throughout the northern hemisphere wait all 12 months for the annual Perseids Meteor Bathe — and for good purpose. According to NASA, Perseids generates between 50 to 100 meteors per hour on the peak, which falls from the evening of August 11 into the morning of August 12 this 12 months, according to The American Meteor Society. That is the excellent news. The not-so-good? This 12 months’s meteor bathe coincides with the complete moon; the moon’s vibrant glow will wash out among the taking pictures stars. All isn’t misplaced based on SeaSky.org, which notes it is nonetheless value heading out, as a result of Perseids is without doubt one of the 12 months’s brightest meteor showers, and it may show to be a “first rate present.”

August 14: Saturn Reaches Opposition

Admire Saturn in a uncommon mild on August 14 because the ringed planet reaches opposition — a time when it is bigger and brighter than normal. According to Sky At Night Magazine, opposition occurs when Earth sits smack dab between a planet and the solar (take the moon, which reaches opposition throughout every full section). Saturn’s opposition happens about as soon as per 12 months. You possibly can admire Saturn with a telescope or, on the very least, binoculars, beginning at twilight within the southeast sky on August 14.

August 29: Potential Artemis 1 Rocket Launch

NASA may launch its subsequent main lunar mission, Artemis 1, as quickly as August 29. (If delayed, the launch will happen in early September.) Artemis 1 is the primary a part of NASA’s plan to get extra astronauts to the moon via the Artemis program. This mission, centered on the Orion spacecraft’s un-crewed take a look at flight across the moon, will use the brand new House Launch System Rocket, which NASA says would be the strongest rocket on this planet come launch time. If the mission goes effectively, NASA will launch the Artemis 2 mission by 2024, sending astronauts to the moon for the primary time in seven many years. Keep updated on the newest Artemis 1 launch information from NASA.