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

This week's sky highlights include Mars lingering low in the western twilight, visible alongside Spica with binoculars. Venus and Jupiter shine brilliantly at early dawn, reaching a conjunction on August 12. The Perseid meteor shower peaks late August 12, though moonlight may obscure many meteors. The Big Dipper scoops low in the northwest, while Cassiopeia rises higher nightly. Vega and Deneb pass near the zenith around 10 p.m. and midnight, respectively. The last-quarter Moon rises late August 15, joined by the Pleiades. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are morning sky features, with Saturn's rings nearly edge-on. Star colors appear vivid in late twilight. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-august-8-17/

The week’s forecast features predominantly sunny skies with hot temperatures. Sunday and Monday will be the hottest, reaching 100°F and 101°F, respectively, with lows in the mid-60s. Winds will generally come from the south-southwest at 5 to 15 mph. As the week progresses, temperatures gradually decrease: mid-90s on Wednesday and dipping to the upper 80s by Thursday and Friday. Nighttime lows will cool from the mid-60s to the mid-50s. Saturday remains sunny with a high of 87°F and a low of 58°F. Clear conditions continue throughout the nights. https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week's sky highlights (August 1–10) include the first-quarter Moon in Libra on August 1, positioned between Antares and Spica. Venus and Jupiter grow closer in the dawn sky, heading for a near-conjunction on August 12. The Delta Aquariid meteor shower continues weakly, overlapping with moonlit Perseids. Saturn's moon Titan casts shadows visible from North America. The waxing gibbous Moon passes near Antares and the Sagittarius Teapot. Vega and Deneb appear near the zenith depending on your latitude. Mars remains low in the twilight west, with Venus and Jupiter brightening the dawn sky. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are favorable for telescopic views. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-august-1-10/

The upcoming week's weather will be predominantly sunny with clear skies throughout both days and nights. Daytime highs will range from 91°F to 101°F, peaking on Thursday, while nighttime lows will remain between 60°F and 65°F. Winds will generally blow from the south-southwest at 5 to 15 mph, with slightly stronger breezes of 10 to 15 mph on Sunday and Saturday. Expect consistent sunshine, minimal cloud cover, and warm temperatures, especially mid to late week as the heat intensifies. https://www.kcra.com/weather

In Lodi, California, in 2025, the heliacal rising of Sirius—when it first becomes visible just before dawn after being hidden by the Sun's glare—typically occurs in early August. For 2025, you can expect Sirius to reappear in the pre-dawn sky around August 7 to August 10. The exact date may vary slightly depending on local atmospheric conditions and your specific vantage point. For the most precise observation, look toward the eastern horizon about 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise during this period. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliacal_rising

Noctilucent clouds, glowing electric-blue formations, hover about 50 miles above Earth and are most visible between late June and early August, when the sun’s angle illuminates them. Formed as water vapor condenses around dust from vaporized meteorites, they are common in high-latitude regions like Canada and Europe. While primarily natural, rocket launches—especially from SpaceX—can create or enhance these clouds. Rocket exhaust carried to the upper atmosphere forms ice crystals that develop into clouds, with increased sightings noted after launches between 11 p.m. and 10 a.m. This aids research on long-term changes in noctilucent cloud occurrences. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/noctilucent-clouds-shimmer-in-summer-sky-with-a-possible-boost-from-rockets/1794926

The upcoming week's weather forecast features predominantly sunny skies with clear nights. Daytime high temperatures will range from 88°F to 92°F, peaking on Monday at 92°F. Nighttime lows will consistently hover around 57°F to 58°F. Winds will generally blow from the south to south-southwest at speeds between 5 and 15 mph, slightly increasing midweek. Expect consistently clear and warm conditions throughout the week, which are ideal for outdoor activities. https://www.kcra.com/weather

This week's sky from July 25 to August 3 offers remarkable celestial events. Arcturus, the orange giant star, descends in the western evening sky, notable for its historic role in the 1933 World's Fair. Venus and Jupiter shine brightly in the dawn, moving closer for an August conjunction. The Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks around July 30, while the waxing crescent Moon guides stargazers to Mars, Denebola, and Spica. Look for the Big and Little Dippers in the northwest, with Polaris marking true north. Saturn's Moon Titan casts shadows on Saturn, and the first-quarter Moon appears on August 1. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-25-august-3/

The upcoming week's weather forecast predicts mostly sunny skies with occasional clouds. High temperatures will range from 85°F to 94°F, peaking on Sunday at 94°F, while lows will hover between 55°F and 58°F. Winds will generally blow from the south-southwest (SSW) at speeds of 10 to 15 mph, occasionally reaching up to 20 mph, especially on Monday. Nights will be predominantly clear with mild temperatures. Expect a mix of vibrant sunshine during the day and cool, clear evenings throughout the week. https://www.kcra.com/weather