by Steven Burr

The Moon

We start the month off with the last quarter moon on the 6th of August.  Following this, we are then treated with the moon passing in front of the star cluster Pleiades (M45) in the early hours of the 7th.  The new moon arrives on the 12th followed by the first quarter on the 20th.  The Full Sturgeon Moon makes its appearance on the 28th.  According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the name owes its origins to the giant lake Sturgeon which were harvested during this part of the summer.  Other names include Flying-Up Moon (Cree), Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Harvest Moon (Dakota), and Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe).

Partial Lunar Eclipse

On the 27th/28th of August, the County will be treated to a partial lunar eclipse commencing at 10:33 pm on the 27th, reaching its peak at 12:12 am on the 28th and ending at 1:51 am.  Watch for the moon on the south eastern horizon just after sunset.

Lunar Eclipse - photo: Greg Lisk

The Planets

Venus is now visible briefly just after sunset.  Mars is becoming well situated in the pre-dawn sky.  Jupiter will become visible in the pre-dawn sky by the end of the month as it comes out of the sun’s glare.  Saturn is continuing to become well positioned for late evening and pre-dawn viewing. 

Partial Solar Eclipse

Prince Edward County will be in the path of a partial Solar Eclipse on the 12th of August.  Starting at 12:54 pm the eclipse reaches its maximum at 1:43 pm covering just a portion of the Sun’s surface.  The eclipse will end at 2:30 pm.  Please note, never look directly at the sun without certified Eclipse glasses!

Partial Solar Eclipse 2017 - photo: Robert Bates

Perseids Meteor Shower

The Perseid meteor shower peaks during the evening of the 12th and the early morning hours of the 13th.  Luckily this year, we have a new moon and thus the night sky will be dark for viewing this celestial event.  The Perseid meteor shower appears to originate from the constellation Perseus and owes it origins to debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, in 1862.  To observe this event, remove yourself from as much light pollution as possible and look to the NE for the constellation Perseus.  You will need to give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness.  The best time for viewing is after midnight.

Constellation Aquila

Low in the southern sky, we have Aquila the eagle.  In accordance with Greek mythology, it is the eagle that brought Ganymedes to Zeus so that he could have a cup bearer.  It is also said that Zeus placed the Eagle in the sky as his sacred bird, one that can fly directly towards the sun without yielding, and one who holds dominion over all other birds.  For the Babylonians, this constellation rose at the month leading to the winter solstice and thus represented a dual function of bringing children and animals to birth as well as carrying off the dead or the condemned.

Aquila Urania's Mirror - 1825

The Summer Triangle

The summer triangle is an easily recognizable asterism in the summer sky.  However this asterism is comprised of bright stars from three constellations: Cygnus (Swan), Lyra (Lyre) and Aquila (Eagle).  The three stars that comprise the triangle are Deneb, Vega and Altair.  Look overhead after sunset to see this asterism.  According to Greek mythology, Zeus took the form of the swan in his efforts to seduce Nemesis, and the lyre was created by Hermes who hollowed out a tortoise shell to make the instrument.  With regards to Aquila, it is the eagle that carried Ganymedes up to Zeus so the he may have a cup bearer, or Hermes being captivated by Aphrodite, Zeus sent the eagle to snatch her slipper and bring it to Hermes so they could meet.  Two interesting deep sky objects within the Summer Triangle are the Crescent Nebula, an emission nebula, and the Cygnus Loop a super nova remnant, see pics. 

Astronomy Events - August

Partial Solar Eclipse

12 August 2026 - Mariners Park Museum
Solar viewing with RASC - 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

On the afternoon of August 12th, the Quinte region will be treated to a partial solar eclipse.  Join with members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to view this event safely.  Never look directly at the sun without proper protection!

Perseids Meteor Shower

12 August 2026 – Sandbanks Provincial Park
Night Sky Observing at Lakeshore Lodge – 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Enjoy this celestial spectacle with members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.  The Perseid meteor shower peaks during the evening of the 12th and the early morning hours of the 13th.  Luckily this year, we have a new moon and thus the night sky will be dark for viewing this celestial event. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and thermos!

Partial Lunar Eclipse

27 August 2026 - Mariners Park Museum
Night Sky Observing with RASC - 9:00 pm to 12:00 am

Residents of the Quinte region will be able to experience a partial lunar eclipse on the evening of the 27th of August.  Come out to the Mariners Park Museum to experience this event firsthand with members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.  Telescopes will be available for the public to view this event and other celestial objects.

References (for August/September blogs):

August 12th, Total Solar Eclipse – Picton Ontario [online]. Timeanddate, [cited 1 February 2026]. Available from: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@6104215?iso=20260812.

August 27th, Partial Lunar Eclipse – Picton Ontario [online]. Timeanddate, [cited 1 February 2026]. Available from: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@6104215?iso=20260828.

Perseids Meteor Shower 2026 [online]. Timeanddate, [cited 3 January 2026]. Available from: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/perseid.html

Boeckmann, Catherine, Full Moon Names 2026 [online]. Almanac, updated 31 December 2025 [cited 3 January 2026]. Available from: https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-names

Edgar, James S. ed., RASC Observer’s Handbook 2026, ed. by James S. Edgar (Toronto: Marquis Book Printing, 2025)

Hard, Robin, Eratosthenes & Hyginus: Constellation Myths (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)

Mortillaro, Nicole, Night Sky Guide 2026 (Richmond Hill: Firefly Books, 2025)

White, Gavin, Babylonian Star-Lore: An Illustrated Guide to the Star-Lore & Constellations of Ancient Babylonia (London: Solaria Publications, 2014)