Wonders of the Night Sky: An Astronomical Guide for a Stellar August!

In Brief

Discover the wonders that the August sky has to offer! The queens of summer are undoubtedly the shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower, which this year will put on a breathtaking show! Shooting stars are not the only attraction the August night sky has to offer. We will also have regular passes of Starlink satellites forming a train of lights in the sky, the passage of the International Space Station, and the Supermoon at the end of August. This month will certainly be stellar!

The Queens of Summer: Shooting Stars

Shooting stars, also known as the "tears of San Lorenzo," are a fascinating celestial phenomenon that has entertained and captivated humanity throughout every century of its history.

In reality, shooting stars have nothing to do with actual stars. The correct name for this spectacular phenomenon is "meteor shower." Periodically, Earth passes through a region of space dense with small space debris, such as tiny meteors, comet debris, and dust that come into contact with the Earth's atmosphere at great speed. When these debris fragments enter the Earth's atmosphere, the friction generated with air molecules heats them and illuminates them in the sky. As they continue through the first layer of atmosphere, the small debris begins to burn and decompose, leaving behind the trail we admire from the Earth's surface.

Shooting stars can occur at any time of year, but there are specific periods when their frequency increases dramatically. These peak periods are known as "meteor showers" and are caused by the intersection between Earth's orbit and that of a comet or by passage through a densely populated region of space debris. During the most intense meteor showers, it is possible to see several shooting stars in a short span of time. If you are in a dark location with the moon waning or completely invisible, it is possible to see one every 30 seconds!

One of the most famous events is the Perseid meteor shower, which reaches its peak in August, a few days after the Notte di San Lorenzo, which falls on August 10. The Perseids are associated with the orbit of Comet Swift-Tuttle, a periodic comet that orbits the Sun with a revolution period of approximately 133 years. It was independently discovered by astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle in 1862. The comet is twice the size of the one that wiped out the dinosaurs and is therefore called "the most dangerous object in the sky." The Perseid meteor shower occurs when Earth intersects the elliptical orbit of Comet Swift-Tuttle which, during its motion, releases dust and particles that give rise to the shooting star spectacle.

This meteor shower is much more famous than others that occur during the year for two main reasons. The first reason for the Perseids' popularity is the high impact frequency (up to 100 per hour). The second reason is purely temporal -- their show falls in August, which by definition is the holiday period, when people are very often at the beach or, even better, in the mountains, locations far from the light pollution of cities.

The Perseid meteor shower peak changes from year to year. Earth passes through the Perseids starting from late July and through almost all of August. The peak of this phenomenon rarely falls on the Notte di San Lorenzo but occurs a few days later, usually on August 11 or 12.

Guide to Observing the Perseids

• Choose the right date: This year the peak of shooting stars is expected on the night between August 12 and 13, and it will be one of the most spectacular in recent years. It is possible to observe them before or after the peak as well, but the frequency will be lower.

• Choose the right location: Light pollution from cities does not allow the observation of Perseids. If you are in the city, try going to the countryside. The best place for observation is the mountains, but they can also be admired at the beach, provided you are not adjacent to a city.

• Check the moon phases: The reason astronomy enthusiasts and curious observers are excited about this year's pass can be found in the conditions of the moon during Earth's passage through the Perseid shower. A full and too-bright moon can in fact reduce or sometimes completely inhibit the view of the phenomenon. This year, the New Moon will occur on the morning of August 16. On the night between August 12 and 13, only a small crescent (sliver) will be in the sky, rising in the second part of the night, ensuring a dark sky ideal for perfect observation.

• Check the weather: A cloudy sky is obviously unsuitable for observation conditions. For this reason, check the weather forecast to see if the sky will be clear at your location during the peak. Otherwise, postpone to a few days before or after.

• Know where to look: The Perseids "fall" in every direction, but there is a cardinal point where the frequency is higher: the best cardinal point where the highest frequency of shooting stars is expected is the constellation of Perseus (from which the meteor shower gets its name), located towards the northeast. To find the constellation of Perseus or the northeast cardinal point, you can use the compass app on your smartphone or specific apps that highlight constellations in the night sky. The constellation of Perseus is, however, quite recognisable even without the aid of technology -- it is a large W that stands out against the night sky.

To find better conditions than this year's, you will have to wait until August 2026! So everyone get ready to enjoy this wonderful spectacle of nature and make a wish!

The Supermoon

In August we have already witnessed a Supermoon phenomenon on August 1, and another will occur on August 31.

The Supermoon is the astronomical phenomenon in which the Moon appears larger and brighter than usual in the night sky. It occurs when the Moon is both in its full phase and at its closest point to Earth along its elliptical orbit. Since the Moon's orbit around Earth is not perfectly circular but slightly elliptical, there are times when the Moon is closer (perigee) and times when it is farther (apogee) from Earth.

During a Supermoon, the Moon appears larger because it is physically closer to Earth. Despite the greater proximity to Earth, the apparent size increase can be difficult to notice for a less experienced observer. However, when the Moon is low on the horizon, it can appear noticeably larger due to an optical effect called the "Moon illusion," in which our brain compares it with terrestrial objects of known size.

Supermoons can be fascinating events to observe and photograph, but it is important to remember that the differences in apparent size and brightness are not as significant as they are often described. The average distance between Earth and the Moon is approximately 384,400 kilometres, so even during a Supermoon, the variation in distance is relatively small on an astronomical scale. However, if you have a telescope or binoculars available, the Supermoon is undoubtedly the best time to observe it.

Starlink Satellites: A Train of Lights in the Sky

Starlink satellites are a constellation of artificial satellites launched by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, with the goal of providing high-speed, low-latency internet access worldwide, including rural and remote areas. These satellites are designed to form a global communication network, covering virtually every part of the planet.

When launched in groups, the satellites can be visible as luminous trains moving one behind the other, forming a "snake" of lights that spans the entire celestial vault.

Several tools and websites exist that allow you to track when and where Starlink satellites will be visible from your location. You can search for "Starlink tracker" on the internet to find updated resources that will help you identify when you can observe the Starlink satellites from your observation point.

The International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is an orbiting space laboratory located approximately 420 kilometres above the Earth's surface. It is a joint project of several international space agencies, including NASA of the United States, Russia's Roscosmos, the European ESA, Japan's JAXA, and Canada's CSA.

The ISS is a complex structure composed of various habitable modules, scientific laboratories, storage areas, and docking ports for spacecraft. Astronauts on board conduct experiments, perform maintenance activities, and support research operations for the benefit of science and human knowledge. It was also conceived as a "training ground" for scientists to accustom them to the low gravity they will encounter when assigned to space missions far from Earth.

The International Space Station (ISS) is often visible from Earth. Its visibility depends on several variables such as orbital altitude, sun angle, and sky illumination conditions. In this case as well, the Moon can reduce its brightness.

The ISS appears as a bright point moving rapidly across the sky, often much brighter than regular satellites and stars. Since the station orbits at a relatively close distance from Earth, it reflects sunlight very noticeably.

For observing the International Space Station as well, specific websites and apps exist that allow you to know in advance when the pass will occur over your location, the direction of motion, and a parameter describing the quality of the pass. To explore astronomical phenomena and the physical laws governing the motion of celestial bodies, physics tutoring and science tutoring provide the foundations for understanding the wonders of the night sky.

FAQ

What are shooting stars really?

Shooting stars are not actual stars but small space debris, such as comet fragments and dust, that enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed. Friction with the air heats them and makes them glow, creating the luminous trail we observe from the surface.

When is the Perseid peak in 2025?

The Perseid meteor shower peak is expected on the night between August 12 and 13, 2025. This year conditions are ideal: the New Moon on August 16 will ensure a dark sky, allowing viewers to see up to 100 shooting stars per hour.

What is a Supermoon and why does it appear larger?

A Supermoon occurs when a full Moon coincides with perigee, the closest point in its orbit to Earth. It appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal, although the difference can be difficult to notice with the naked eye.

How can I observe Starlink satellites?

Starlink satellites are visible as a "train" of lights crossing the sky. Search "Starlink tracker" online to find apps and websites that indicate when and where they will be visible from your location, with precise times and directions.