August 6, 2026: Summer reaches its midpoint as daylight continues to shorten across the Northern Hemisphere. Compare daylight lengths from Miami and Chicago to Anchorage and Auckland.
Author: Jeffrey L. Hunt
Jeffrey L. Hunt is an educational technologist living in suburban Chicago. When he's not learning about and implementing technology in classes, he's running or looking at the stars.
2026, August 5: Moon, Saturn, Mars, Mercury, and Venus
August 5, 2026: Watch the moon separate from Saturn, Mars move beyond Taurus’ horns, Mercury retreat into twilight, and brilliant Venus approach Virgo’s Spica.
2026, August 4: Look for Four Planets and Moon During Nighttime Hours.
August 4, 2026: Saturn, Mars, Mercury, and Venus are visible. Watch Mars march away from Zeta Tauri, Mercury after greatest elongation, Saturn with the moon, and Venus approaching Spica.
2026, August 2-5: Waning Moon Passes Saturn Before Sunrise
August 2-5, 2026: Watch the waning moon approach and pass Saturn during morning twilight. Follow the moon’s eastward motion from Pisces’ starfield toward Aries before the Last Quarter phase.
2026, August 2-5: Mars Passes Between Taurus’ Horns During August Morning Twilight
August 2-5, 2026: Watch Mars march eastward in front of Taurus as it passes between Elnath and Zeta Tauri. Follow the Red Planet’s changing position during morning twilight.
2026, August 1: Lammas Day Almanac: Buck Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
August 1, 2026: Lammas Day marks summer’s traditional midpoint. Follow the Buck Moon, Mercury near greatest elongation, brilliant Venus, Mars between Taurus’ horns, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
2026, July 31: Mercury Nears Greatest Elongation: How to Find the Elusive Planet Before Sunrise
July 31, 2026: Mercury reaches greatest elongation in two mornings. Learn how to locate the Elusive Planet low in the east-northeast sky before sunrise using a binocular and terrestrial reference points.
2026, July 30: Planet Highlights – Buck Moon, Saturn, Mars, and Venus
July 30, 2026: The Buck Moon remains bright while Saturn shines before sunrise, Mars approaches Taurus’ horns, and brilliant Venus dominates the western evening sky.
2026, July 29: Jupiter Begins a New Apparition After Solar Conjunction
July 29, 2026: Jupiter reaches solar conjunction and begins a new morning apparition. Learn when the Jovian Giant returns to view and the key events of its next observing cycle.
2026, July 28: Orion Returns to the Morning Sky While Mars Approaches Taurus’ Horns
July 28, 2026: Orion reappears in the predawn eastern sky while Mars advances toward Taurus’ horns. Learn where to find the Hunter and follow Mars’ changing position before sunrise.