{
  "id": 17586,
  "title": "What’s Up: August 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/whats-up-august-2026-skywatching-tips-from-nasa-17586",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-07-31T22:35:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/whats-up-august-2026-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "August 2026 offers skywatchers a variety of celestial events to observe. The month begins with a last quarter moon on August 5. On August 12, a total solar eclipse will be visible across northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and part of Portugal, with a partial eclipse in several regions of the United States. The total eclipse path is marked on a map provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech. The eclipse will be safely observable if viewers use certified eclipse glasses or a safe solar viewer, as regular sunglasses are not sufficient protection.\n\nFollowing the solar eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12-13 under dark skies, creating an ideal viewing opportunity. The peak occurs during a New Moon, which ensures minimal light interference, allowing for optimal observation. The Perseids are a meteor shower that happens each year as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, but they can be seen across the sky. To maximize the chances of spotting these meteors, observers should look toward the northeast once it is fully dark, giving their eyes approximately 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. The bright planet Venus will also be visible in the western sky shortly after sunset during this period, appearing to outshine all other stars. Venus' appearance will be close to half lit, resembling a tiny lunar phase when viewed through a telescope.",
  "summary": "A solar eclipse, the Perseids, bright Venus after sunset, and a deep partial lunar eclipse highlight August’s skywatching. Skywatching Highlights Transcript A solar eclipse, one of the year’s best meteor showers, Venus at its brightest in the evening sky, and a lunar eclipse to close out the month. That’s “What’s Up” for August. On Aug. […] The post What’s Up: August 2026 Skywatching Tips from…",
  "key_points": [
    "August 2026 starts with a last quarter moon on August 5",
    "Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12-13 under dark skies"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA",
        "title": "What’s Up: August 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/whats-up-august-2026-skywatching-tips-from-nasa",
        "published": "2026-07-31T22:35:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}