In 2019, the peak mornings for the Perseid meteor shower - around August 11, 12 and 13 - are troubled by moonlight. Watch for Perseid meteors this weekend. Find moonset times for your location and find a good place to stargaze. Watch before sunup, and you'll likely see some meteors!
You can avoid the moon during the 2019 Perseid meteor shower by watching in the days before the peak, in the hours before dawn. Or ... you can embrace the moon.
Although it's not bright, 61 Cygni moves exceptionally rapidly against the background of more distant stars. Its motion reveals its nearness to Earth. How to find it in your sky.
The Perseid meteor shower is rising to its peak, so there's bound to be some fist-shaking this weekend at that bright moon. But this weekend's moon can also guide you to Jupiter and Saturn. Read more.
Before sunup … watch for Mercury to line up with the Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux. The three will be closest to making a straight line around August 11. Castor and Pollux will be pointing to Mercury and can help you find it. Look in the sunrise direction, as the sky begins to lighten. Read more.
