Experience the celestial grandeur from August 7 to 8 as the Moon and Jupiter cross paths in a picturesque "kiss" that can be spotted with the unaided eye, weather permitting. That's not all, the following dusk introduces us to the Pleaids star cluster, all under the radiant shower of the Delta Aquarids meteors. These are nights to remember!
In the latter half of the night between August 7 and 8, the Last Quarter Moon will rise from the east, sharing the skies with Jupiter in the Aries constellation. This striking conjunction, weather permitting, will be easily visible without any special equipment.
On the subsequent night between August 8 and 9, the Moon, right after its Last Quarter phase, will be nestled between Jupiter and the Pleiades star cluster, near the border of the Aries and Taurus constellations.
This spectacle too, weather permitting, can be admired with the naked eye. The Pleaids are a rather "close" star cluster, about 440 light-years away, with several stars visible without any special tools. Even in urban areas with clear skies, around 4 or 5 stars can be easily spotted. However, in darker areas, devoid of light pollution, one can spot as many as 12 stars.
But the cosmic show doesn't end here. August 8 also marks the peak of the Delta Aquarids meteor shower, a truly captivating celestial event. This year, the radiant, or the point from which the meteors seem to emerge, will be visible throughout the night, peaking around 3 AM at over 50 degrees above the horizon.
The night of maximum activity between August 8 and 9 will offer optimal viewing conditions from the end of twilight until around 2 AM, when the Moon's brightness will begin to interfere. But, as the Moon starts to dominate the sky, the first spectacle will be beautifully complemented by the meteor shower. This is a night sky spectacle that is not to be missed!
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