From August 7–16, the sky offers several highlights. Venus shines low in the west, drawing closer to Spica. At the same time, the Perseid meteor shower builds to its August 12–13 peak, coinciding with a new Moon and a partial solar eclipse visible across much of North America. Early mornings feature Mars near the crescent Moon and Mercury low in dawn light, with a rare Mercury-Jupiter conjunction on August 15. Saturn rises late with its rings tilted 9°, while Uranus and Neptune require star charts to spot. The Milky Way dominates moonless evenings, and noctilucent clouds may appear in twilight skies. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-august-7-16/

On August 12, 2026, skywatchers can enjoy a rare six-planet alignment featuring Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune. Visible before sunrise, Mars and Saturn are the easiest naked-eye targets, while Mercury and especially low-lying Jupiter require a clear eastern horizon. Uranus and Neptune need binoculars or a telescope. The planets will appear along the ecliptic in a wide arc across the sky, rather than forming a perfect line. This date is especially exciting because it also coincides with a total solar eclipse and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, making it one of 2026’s top stargazing nights. https://starwalk.space/en/news/planetary-alignment-august-12-2026

The week ahead features consistently sunny and hot weather with highs gradually cooling from 102°F on Sunday to around 90°F by Friday. Each day will be mostly sunny or mainly sunny, with only a few clouds appearing late in the week. Overnight lows stay mild, ranging from 59°F to 61°F. Winds will generally come from the south to southwest, varying between 5 and 15 mph. Nights remain clear or mostly clear, making for calm evenings. Overall, expect a hot, dry, and sunny pattern throughout the week with gradual moderation by the weekend. https://www.kcra.com/weather

From July 31 to August 9, the night sky offers a rich array of sights. Vega and Deneb pass near the zenith, while Ophiuchus with Rasalhague and Hercules dominate the south. Lammas Day falls on August 1, with the astronomical midpoint of summer on August 6–7. Early Perseid meteors begin to appear, and Eta Aquilae’s Cepheid variability is visible near Altair. The Moon interacts with the Pleiades and wanes toward crescent phases. Venus shines low in the west, Mars glows in Taurus at dawn, and Saturn rises by late evening. Prepare for the August 12 solar eclipse and peak Perseids. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-31-august-9/

The Perseid meteor shower, one of 2026’s top celestial events, begins in mid-July and peaks on the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13. This year’s conditions are nearly perfect due to the peak coinciding with a new moon, creating dark skies ideal for spotting even faint meteors. Observers in rural, dark locations may see 50 meteors per hour, with rates potentially climbing to 60–100 meteors per hour under pristine skies. The best viewing occurs after midnight as Perseus rises higher. No equipment is needed—find a dark, open area, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy the show. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/summers-best-meteor-shower-gets-underway/1912246

The upcoming week will feature hot, sunny days with clear nights. Daytime highs start at 104°F on Sunday, gradually cooling to 96°F by Friday and Saturday. Overnight lows range from 66°F on Sunday night to about 60°F by the end of the week. Winds are primarily from the south to southwest, varying between 5 and 15 mph, with slightly breezier conditions midweek. Clear skies dominate throughout, offering plenty of sunshine during the day and mostly clear nights. A consistent pattern of sunny days and mild, calm nights will persist, making for a dry and stable weather forecast all week. https://www.kcra.com/weather

During July 24–August 2, stargazers can observe the waxing gibbous Moon progressing through Scorpius and the Sagittarius Teapot, culminating in a full Moon on July 28–29. Highlights include the orange-red star Antares near the Moon, the Summer Triangle enhanced by Rasalhague, and rising fall constellations such as Cassiopeia and Pegasus. Arcturus glows in the west and holds historic significance, while Vega and Deneb pass near the zenith. Planet visibility shifts: Mercury brightens at dawn, Venus dominates the west twilight, Mars glows near Aldebaran in the east, Saturn rises by midnight, and Jupiter remains hidden. Uranus and Neptune require charts. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-24-august-2/

The week’s forecast predicts a stretch of hot, mostly sunny weather with mild nighttime lows. Daytime highs range from the mid-90s early in the week, gradually climbing to 101°F on Friday and peaking at 104°F on Saturday. Nights stay clear or mostly clear, with lows between 61°F and 65°F. Winds remain light throughout, primarily from the south to southwest at 5 to 10 mph. A few clouds may appear, especially Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon, but overall conditions remain dry and sunny, ideal for outdoor activities with proper heat precautions in place. https://www.kcra.com/weather

On July 20, 1969, over 530 million people watched as Apollo 11 made history with the first moon landing. Inspired by President Kennedy’s 1962 challenge to reach the moon by decade’s end, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins launched from Florida’s Space Coast. After a tense descent, Armstrong safely landed the Eagle, declaring, “The Eagle has landed,” and later stepped onto the lunar surface with his iconic words. Armstrong and Aldrin spent over two hours exploring, while Collins orbited above. The crew returned safely on July 24, 1969, becoming American heroes and inspiring future lunar exploration. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/what-apollo-11-astronauts-said-about-the-moon-landing/452609

This week’s sky highlights include Venus shining near the crescent Moon on July 17, with Scorpius dominating the southern horizon in the evenings, featuring Antares and the Cat’s Eyes (Shaula and Lesath). The Moon progresses from first quarter on July 20 toward Antares by July 24, while Arcturus slowly descends in the west and Cassiopeia rises in the north. Planetary views show Mercury emerging in the dawn sky, Mars near Taurus’s stars, Saturn rising near midnight with its rings widening, and Jupiter hidden in the Sun’s glare. Observers can enjoy deep-sky clusters M6 and M7 and the Summer Triangle overhead. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-17-26/