We're busy in the newsroom today as the Perseid meteor shower peaks tomorrow night. With a brighter moon this year, we're looking into whether this may be an issue for skywatchers eager to see these shooting stars.
Other stories for today include experts voicing growing concerns about organized scientific fraud happening within the field of astronomy. Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com's Astronomy Channel Editor, notes that: "As we see companies and institutions increasingly investing in and becoming reliant on artificial intelligence, it's especially important to ensure that scientific studies and factual information online are legitimate. It is such data that trains the AI algorithms that have been weaving into our society."
The other headlines for your daily read include a dive into SpaceX's 100th mission for the year, a new book about the turn-of-the-century Mars Craze and weird "Cosmic Grapes" in an early galaxy.
Twin orbs of superhot plasma at the Milky Way's center known as the "Fermi bubbles" contain inexplicable clouds of cold hydrogen, new research reveals. They could help scientists figure out when our galaxy's black hole last erupted.
The rate of human-produced light is increasing in the night sky by as much as 10% per year, making it difficult for astronomers to study the night sky.
This week is packed with celestial drama from one of the year's most-anticipated meteor showers to a rare pairing of the two brightest planets in our sky. Venus and Jupiter cozy up in the pre-dawn hours on Tuesday, the same night the Perseids peak, while the bright moon keeps company with Saturn and Neptune. Later in the week, enjoy the Milky Way rising from the Teapot, the moon gliding toward the Pleiades, and a third quarter phase that opens the door to darker evening skies. Whether you're chasing meteors, photographing planets, or tracing constellations, there's something worth stepping outside for each night.
In the eastern sky between 4 a.m. and sunrise, Venus and Jupiter shine less than a finger's width apart, their closest pairing of the year. The duo will share binocular views all week.
Late Tuesday night, a waning gibbous moon shines to the left of Saturn, with faint Neptune just above the ringed planet. A telescope will reveal Neptune's bluish disk.
The Perseids reach their peak tonight, delivering up to 100 meteors per hour. A bright moon will reduce numbers, but this shower's brilliant fireballs are still worth the watch, especially before dawn.
Look south after dusk to spot the Teapot asterism in Sagittarius. When it's highest, around 10 p.m. local time, the Milky Way streams from its "spout," marking the center of our galaxy.
The half-lit moon rises near the Pleiades star cluster, with Uranus nestled below. In western time zones, the moon may be close enough to the cluster to fit together in binoculars.
The moon reaches third quarter at 1:12 a.m. EDT (05:12 GMT), rising around midnight and lingering into the afternoon. This phase begins a week of dark evening skies, perfect for Milky Way viewing.
The third quarter moon arrives on Saturday, Aug. 16, offering ideal conditions for late-night stargazing. With the moon not rising until around midnight, the evening hours are free of bright moonlight, making it the perfect time to explore faint star clusters, nebulas, and the glowing band of the Milky Way.
Want to explore more? Check out our ultimate guide to observing the moon for tips and tools to get the most out of each phase.
The Perseids are one of the most visually spectacular meteor showers of the year and are known for spawning impressive fireballs that light up the night sky.
