Labor Day is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor the American labor movement and the contributions of workers to the nation's development. Originating in the late 19th century amid growing trade union movements, the first parade occurred in New York City in 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union. Oregon was the first state to recognize it as a public holiday in 1887, and it became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, featuring events, parades, sports, and sales, with schools often resuming around this time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

This week's sky highlights (August 29–September 7) feature Saturn as the brightest evening object, with Fomalhaut rising in the southeast. Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury align in the dawn sky, with their configuration shifting daily. The first-quarter Moon appears near Antares and the Sagittarius Teapot, with a full Moon on September 7. Notable events include Titan's shadow crossing Saturn's face and opportunities to observe the Summer Triangle. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are visible, with Saturn's rings nearly edge-on. Observers are encouraged to explore constellations, use star atlases, and develop sky navigation skills. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-august-29-september-7/

The upcoming week's weather will be predominantly sunny with high temperatures ranging from 92°F to 100°F. Afternoon clouds may appear on Sunday, but the skies will remain mostly clear through the week. Nighttime lows will range between 60°F and 63°F. Winds will consistently come from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph, maintaining a steady breeze throughout both days and nights. Expect warm, dry conditions with plenty of sunshine and clear skies. https://www.kcra.com/weather

The long summer days are fading as cities like Chicago, Boston, and Denver have experienced their last 8 p.m. sunset of 2025; they won't see another until 2026. Increasingly earlier sunsets mark this seasonal shift due to Earth's tilt and orbit. Since the summer solstice on June 20, days have been shortening, with the pace accelerating in August by 1-2 minutes daily. By August 31, daylight is over 60 minutes shorter than on August 1. Cities like Seattle lose up to 92 minutes of daylight, while Miami loses 40 minutes. This trend continues until the winter solstice on December 21. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/goodbye-long-days-cities-that-have-already-had-last-8-pm-sunset-of-2025/1803384

The weather forecast for the upcoming week indicates consistent sunny conditions with clear skies at night. Daytime high temperatures will range from 92°F to 97°F, peaking on Sunday at 97°F. Nighttime lows will consistently hover around 61°F to 62°F. Winds will predominantly come from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph throughout the week. A few clouds may appear on Friday night and Saturday, but overall, clear and sunny weather will dominate the forecast period. https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week’s sky highlights (August 22–31) include Arcturus and the Boötes Kite leaning west, the Great Square of Pegasus rising in the east, and Cassiopeia’s W tilting upward. Spot a thin crescent Moon guiding you to Mars and Spica, and observe Altair with Delphinus and Sagitta nearby. Early mornings offer a winter preview with Orion, Aldebaran, and the Pleiades. Saturn shines in the east, competing with Fomalhaut. Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury form a dawn lineup, while Mars glimmers low in the west. Uranus and Neptune are visible with telescopes. Use star maps to enhance your stargazing experience. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-august-22-31/

The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts a warmer-than-normal fall for 2025, with above-average temperatures expected in regions like the Atlantic Corridor, Southeast, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest. Conversely, cooler conditions are predicted for the Northeast, Appalachians, and Upper Midwest. Nationwide, rainfall will be below average except in the High Plains and Pacific Northwest. The Almanac, using solar science, climatology, and meteorology, also predicts an active hurricane season. Managing editor Sarah Perreault highlights the publication's tradition of wit, wisdom, and relevance. The Almanac is updated annually, offering guidance rooted in over two centuries of publication history. https://www.newsweek.com/old-farmers-almanac-predicts-us-weather-fall-2025-2103388eek.com/old-farmers-almanac-predicts-us-weather-fall-2025-2103388

This week's sky offers celestial highlights from August 15–24. On August 15, the last-quarter Moon rises alongside the Pleiades. August 16–17 showcases star colors with Vega, Arcturus, and Antares. As Vega reaches the zenith, the Sagittarius Teapot and rich deep-sky objects become visible. On August 18, Saturn's Moon Titan casts its shadow on Saturn. The Milky Way shines brightly on August 19, with the crescent Moon aligning with Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury. Cassiopeia rises prominently by August 20. The Great Square of Pegasus and Andromeda appear by August 23. Planet highlights include Mercury's brightness surge, Venus-Jupiter conjunction, and Saturn's rings. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-august-15-24/

The upcoming week will feature sunny skies throughout, with daytime highs steadily rising from 86°F on Sunday to around 100°F by Thursday. Winds will generally come from the south-southwest, varying from light to 15 mph. Nighttime temperatures will remain mild, ranging from lows near 57°F on Sunday night to 63°F by Thursday night. Clear skies will dominate both days and nights, providing consistently warm and dry conditions. Expect peak heat midweek, with high temperatures close to 100°F on Wednesday and Thursday, and slightly cooler conditions as the weekend approaches. https://www.kcra.com/weather

As summer wanes, daylight is rapidly decreasing across the U.S., with some regions losing over an hour of sunlight from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. This shift, driven by the Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the sun, becomes more pronounced the farther north you go. Cities like Miami lose about 40 minutes of daylight, while Seattle experiences a loss of 92 minutes. Each August day is 1 to 2 minutes shorter than the last. This trend continues until the winter solstice on Dec. 21, when days begin to lengthen again. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/the-days-are-getting-shorter-heres-how-much-daylight-disappears-in-august/1803384