Magical Astronomical events of August 2023
Our world is full of majestic mysteries that baffle us every now and then with its wonders and outworldly elements and facets. The Sky is vast enough to cover this large blue sphere and puts on the most brilliant show this month by acting as a screen, giving us the front row seats to the vividly bewitching astronomical events!
Astronomical events are phenomena that occur in Space due to various elements like the gravitational pull of a planet that pulls space objects like rogue rocks into its orbit, painting the sky with bright meteor showers every once in a while. Such events can be observed from Earth with the help of Telescopes and sometimes, these magnificent events are visible to the naked eye! Astronomical events like Eclipses, Meteor Showers, Super Moon, Blue Moon, Equinoxes, Planetary alignments, Asteroids, Comets and etcetera can be predicted with accuracy and are eagerly awaited to be witnessed.
Here are some of the most awaited Astronomical events of August 2023 that are visible to the naked eye and can be witnessed in India without any equipment like Telescopes!
Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseid Meteor Showers, commonly known as the ‘Shooting Star’, happen every year around 11th and 13th of August. This astronomical wonder is caused by the Earth orbiting near the leftover debris of the long lost Comet Swift – Tuttle, and can be witnessed only once in a year to the naked eye.
Lunar Occultation of Antares
Lunar Occultation refers to the phenomena when the Moon appears to have moved in front of another celestial being, like a Planet, Asteroid or a Star. The word ‘Antares’ simply refers to a bright star on the Scorpion constellation. On August 24th this year, the Moon gets aligned with three bright Morning Planets, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, and is visible before sunrise to the naked eye.
Blue Moon
The term ‘Blue Moon’, unlike the common misconception of the Moon being blue in colour, is quite a rare event that happens at least once in 2-3 years, although this frequency can vary. The Blue Moon simply means the second full moon that occurs within a single calendar month.
Loving such breathtaking astronomical events? Follow to know more on such upcoming astronomical events!