Advertise on podcast: Backyard Astronomer - Delta College Public Radio

When the moon appears full, round, and bright, it might inspire us to wonder just how big it really is. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

This is a good time to see the moon's dark round plains called “maria,” and bright splashes of lighter material called “rays.” Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Even at 800 million miles away, Saturn’s great size will continue to provide great views through autumn and early winter. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

With the moon out of the early evening sky, now is a good time to see the constellation of Draco the Dragon. It also happens to be the peak time for the Draconid Meteor Shower! Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

When evening twilight ends, look high in the northeast for a group of bright stars that resembles a big “W” sitting on its end. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Arcturus serves as a bright beacon across multiple seasons, appearing in the east in spring, high overhead in summer, and low in the west in September. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

When the moon looks like a thin crescent, there’s a feature to look for called Earthshine. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Away from city lights and bright moonlight, this is the time of year to see the faint band of the Milky Way stretching right over the top of the sky. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

To the Algonquin People, the August Full Moon was called the Sturgeon Moon, because the sturgeon of the Great Lakes were best harvested during this time. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

This is a good time to watch the dark round plains called “maria” become lit with sunlight in the eastern section of the moon. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Conditions this year will be nearly ideal for watching the annual Perseid meteor shower when it reaches peak activity on the nights of August 12 and 13. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

For all you early risers, there’s a feast of morning planets to enjoy with Saturn, Mars, and even Mercury making appearances. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Why do people see faces in the Moon? And what actually causes these lunar features? Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Often called a half moon, the first quarter moon is a great time to look for some prominent features on the lunar surface. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

After dusk, look about a third of the way up the eastern sky for a moderately bright star. It’s flanked by two fainter stars above and below it. This is Altair, the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila the Eagle. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/