Stargazing Calendar for August 2026
Stargazing in August 2026 brings a wide variety of celestial events for enthusiasts of astronomy, from close planetary pairings to dazzling meteor showers. This guide highlights the month’s best opportunities to explore the night sky.
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List of Meteor Showers in August 2026
- Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
- Piscis Austrinids: Start on July 15; peak on July 28; end on August 10.
- Southern δ-Aquariids: Start on July 12; peak on July 30; end on August 23.
- α-Capricornids: Start on July 3; peak on July 30; end on August 15.
- η-Eridanids: Start on July 31; peak on August 8; end on August 19.
- Perseids: Start on July 17; peak on August 12; end on August 24.
- κ-Cygnids: Start on August 3; peak on August 17; end on August 25.
- Aurigids: Start on August 28; peak on August 31; end on September 5.
We also have a complete list of meteor showers for the entire year of 2026 here.
List of Planetary Conjunctions in August 2026
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces on August 4.
- Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on August 7.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Taurus on August 9.
- Conjunction of Mars and Ceres in Taurus on August 9.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Cancer on August 11.
- Conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury in Cancer on August 15.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Virgo on August 16.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces on August 31.
Moon Phases in August 2026
As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of August 2026:
August 2: Comet 10P/Tempel at perihelion
The periodic comet 10P/Tempel will reach perihelion, the point in its orbit closest to the Sun, at a distance of 1.42 AU. At that moment it will lie in the constellation of Capricornus. (See featured image at the top.)
Based on magnitude estimates from the BAA Comet Section, the comet is expected to glow at around mag 7.4—too faint for the naked eye, but within reach of binoculars or a small telescope under dark skies. The Moon will be a 19 days old waning gibbous at 82%.
August 2: Mercury at greatest western elongation
Mercury will reach its greatest angular separation from the Sun in the morning sky making this the best opportunity to catch the elusive planet.
Look for it low above the eastern horizon in the pre-dawn twilight. It will shine at an apparent magnitude of 0.0 in the constellation of Gemini. The Moon will be a 19 days old waning gibbous at 81%.
August 3: Comet 10P/Tempel at perigee
Just one day after perihelion, comet 10P/Tempel will make its closest approach to Earth (perigee) at a distance of 0.41 AU. (See featured image at the top.)
This is when the comet is at its brightest for this apparition, also estimated near mag 7.4, and it will have drifted into the neighbouring constellation of Piscis Austrinus.
From more southerly latitudes it is better placed, rising to a respectable altitude in the southern sky after midnight. A pair of binoculars should be enough to pick it up. The Moon will be a 20 days old waning gibbous at 73%.
August 4: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 6°57′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 6°14′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.3 and Saturn at magnitude 0.4, both in the constellation of Pisces. The Moon will be a 21 days old waning gibbous at 65%.
August 7: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 1°12′ of each other. This will happen in the constellation of Taurus.
You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye, because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.6 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon will be 24 days old, meaning it will be a waning crescent at 31%.
August 8: η-Eridanid meteor shower peak
The Eta Eridanids are a variable meteor shower with peak activity on August 8. Some meteors may also be spotted between July 31 and August 19, enriching your stargazing this summer of 2026. They will radiate from the constellation of Eridanus at the speed of 64 km/s on average.
August 9: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will reach conjunction passing within 4°24′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 4°24′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
Look for the pair in the constellation of Taurus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades on August 7.) The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -10.8, while Mars will be at magnitude 1.3. The Moon will be a 26 days old waning crescent at 12% and won’t interfere with stargazing this middle of August 2026.
August 9: Conjunction of Mars and Ceres
Mars and the dwarf planet Ceres will reach conjunction passing within 1°25′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Mars will be at apparent magnitude 1.3 in the constellation of Taurus, while Ceres will be at magnitude 9.0 in the neighbouring constellation of Orion. A telescope will be needed to spot Ceres, which is far too faint for the naked eye.
August 11: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will reach conjunction passing within 2°05′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
You can find both celestial bodies in the constellation of Cancer, with the Moon at apparent magnitude -8.5 and Mercury at apparent magnitude -0.9.
The Moon will be a 28 days old waning crescent at 0%, so it will be essentially new and won’t wash out the view—though Mercury itself sits close to the Sun and will be a challenging low target in the dawn twilight.
August 12: Total solar eclipse
There will be a total solar eclipse between 15:35 and 19:57 UTC. This happens when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, casting its shadow onto the Earth.
The path of totality crosses western Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, making this the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999.
A partial eclipse will be visible across a much wider area, including Europe, North Africa, and much of North America, wherever the Sun happens to be above the horizon at the time.
August 12: Perseid meteor shower peak
The Perseids are the largest regular meteor shower, with an average of 150 meteors per hour (ZHR) during the peak if conditions are ideal.
The Moon will be essentially new (less than 1% illuminated), so moonlight will present minimal interference—excellent news for observers.
Some meteors may also be spotted between July 17 and August 24. They will radiate from the constellation of Perseus at the speed of 59 km/s on average, originating from debris left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
August 14: Venus at greatest eastern elongation
Venus will reach its greatest angular separation from the Sun in the evening sky presenting the best opportunity to view the brilliant planet.
Look for it low above the western horizon after sunset. It will shine at an apparent magnitude of -4.3 in the constellation of Virgo. The Moon will be a 2 days old waxing crescent at 8%.
August 15: Conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury
Jupiter and Mercury will reach conjunction passing within 33′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Jupiter will be at apparent magnitude -1.8 and Mercury at magnitude -1.2, both in the constellation of Cancer. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mercury on August 11.)
August 15: Messier 2 at its highest point in the sky
Messier 2 (also known as M2 or NGC 7089) in the constellation of Aquarius is one of the largest known globular clusters. At apparent magnitude 6.6, Messier 2 is easily visible with a small telescope.
It will reach the highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where you are in the world, because it will be exactly opposite to the Sun.
The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 16%, so it won’t be interfering much with stargazing this mid-August 2026.
August 16: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will reach conjunction passing within 2°04′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 1°50′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -10.6 and Venus at magnitude -4.3, both in the constellation of Virgo. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Venus at greatest eastern elongation on August 14.) The Moon will be a 4 days old waxing crescent at 19%.
August 17: κ-Cygnid meteor shower peak
The Kappa Cygnids are a small, variable meteor shower that will peak on August 17. Some meteors may also be spotted between August 3 and 25.
They radiate from the constellation of Cygnus at a slow speed of about 25 km/s on average, which means the meteors tend to appear as longer, gentler streaks than those of faster showers.
The Moon will be a 5 days old waxing crescent at 21%, so it won’t interfere much with stargazing this mid-August 2026.
August 28: Partial lunar eclipse
There will be a partial lunar eclipse between 1:25 and 7:02 UTC, the interval during which the Moon lies within the Earth’s dark shadow, or umbra (with greatest eclipse at 04:14 UTC).
This happens when the Moon passes partly through the umbra, so almost the entire disk enters shadow and much of the Moon will darken and take on a rusty red tint.
The eclipse will be visible across the Americas, Antarctica, Africa, and Europe, wherever the Moon happens to be above the horizon at that time.
August 28: Asteroid 9 Metis at opposition
Asteroid 9 Metis will reach opposition, when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky. It will reach the highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where you are located.
At around the same time, Metis will also reach perigee, its closest approach to Earth, passing within 1.399 AU and reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 9.2.
Look for it in the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Messier 2 at its highest point in the sky on August 15.) Even at its brightest, this asteroid is far too faint for the naked eye and you will need a telescope.
The Moon will be full (100%), so its glare will interfere with stargazing this late August 2026.
August 31: Aurigid meteor shower peak
The Aurigids are a minor meteor shower that will peak on August 31 with a ZHR of only 6. Some meteors may be spotted between August 28 and September 5.
They will radiate from the constellation of Auriga at the speed of 66 km/s on average, and originate from debris left by comet C/1911 N1 Kiess.
Unfortunately, the Moon will be an 18 days old waning gibbous at 88%, so its glare will wash out the fainter meteors and make for less-than-ideal conditions.
August 31: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 7°02′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 6°17′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.5 and Saturn at magnitude 0.3, both in the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Saturn on August 4.) The Moon will be a 19 days old waning gibbous at 86%.
Positions of the Planets in August 2026
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Gemini and Cancer. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Leo and Virgo. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
- Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Taurus.
- Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Cancer. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Pisces.
- Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the use of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in August 2026
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the help of a telescope.
- Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Cetus with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Cetus.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Cancer.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.
Major astronomical events next month – September 2026
- September 6: ν-Eridanid meteor shower peak
- September 9: September ε-Perseid meteor shower peak
- September 10: Uranus enters retrograde motion
- September 12: ε-Eridanid meteor shower peak
- September 13: September Lyncid meteor shower peak
- September 14: χ-Cygnid meteor shower peak
- September 23: September equinox
- September 26: Neptune at opposition
- September 27: Daytime Sextantid meteor shower peak
- September 30: Asteroid 192 Nausikaa at opposition
Conclusion
Stargazing this August 2026 promises an exciting month for fans of astronomy, with meteor showers, planetary encounters, and distant worlds reaching opposition. Get outside under dark skies and make the most of these spectacular celestial events.
To ensure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Keep your telescopes ready and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!
Sources:
- Planetary ephemerides produced by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- International Meteor Organization
See also:
- Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for July 2026
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Paul Tomaszewski
Paul Tomaszewski is a science & tech writer as well as a programmer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of CosmoBC. He has a degree in computer science from John Abbott College, a bachelor's degree in technology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and completed some business and economics classes at Concordia University in Montreal. While in college he was the vice-president of the Astronomy Club. In his spare time he is an amateur astronomer and enjoys reading or watching science-fiction. You can follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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