Sky Report

August, 2025

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between August 1 and August 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

All times are in Pacific Daylight Time, PDT.

The sun rises on the 1^st in the east-northeast at 6:04 a.m., and sets in the west-northwest at 7:54 p.m.  On the 31^st, the sun rises in the east-northeast at 6:26 a.m. and sets in the west-northwest at 7:20 p.m.

Mercury on the 1^st is close to the sun and not safe to observe. On the 11^th, Mercury rises in the east-northeast at 5:08 a.m., and the sun rises at 6:12 a.m., one hour four minutes later. The planet is 15-percent illuminated and 9.5 arcseconds wide. On the 31^st, Mercury rises at 5:27 a.m., 59 minutes before the sun rises. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises on the 1^st in the east-northeast at 3:12 a.m., with a disk 75-percent illuminated and 14 arcseconds wide. On the 12^th, Venus is a degree south of Jupiter. Both rise at 3:25 a.m. On the 31^st, Venus rises in the east-northeast at 3:56 a.m., with a disk 84-percent illuminated and 12-arcseconds wide.

Mars is in Virgo the Maiden. On the 1^st, Mars sets in the west at 10:07 p.m., with a disk 95-percent illuminated and 4.2 arcseconds wide. On the 31^st, Mars sets at 8:57 p.m.  A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s disk.

Jupiter is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1^st, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 3:54 a.m.  On the 31^st, the planet rises at 2:24 a.m. Jupiter is 33 arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1^st, the planet rises in the east at 10:20 p.m.  On the 31^st, the planet rises at 8:19 p.m.  Saturn is 19 arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x. Saturn’s moon Titan will cast its shadow on Saturn’s disk twice this month. Such an event is called a transit. The first transit starts on the 2^nd at 11:05 p.m. and ends on the 3^rd at 4:01 a.m. The second transit starts on the 18^th at 10:31 p.m. and ends on the 19^th at 2:57 a.m.  Titan’s shadow is about half an arcsecond in width. A magnification of more than 300x is needed to see such a small feature.

Uranus is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1^st, the planet rises in the east-northeast at 1:08 a.m.  On the 31^st, Uranus rises at 11:08 p.m.  On the 15^th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3^h 56^m 42^s and declination of +20° 12ʹ 22ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.5 arcsecond disk.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1^st, Neptune rises in the east at 10:17 p.m.  On the 31^st, Neptune rises at 8:18 p.m.  On the 15^th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0^h 8^m 34^s and declination of -0° 33ʹ 9ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3 arcsecond disk.

The moon is at first quarter on the 1^st, full moon on the 9^th, last quarter on the 15^th, new moon on the 22^nd, and first quarter again on the 30^th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Perseid meteors are active from July 17 to August 24. This year they peak from 10:00 p.m. on the 11^th through 4:40 a.m. on the 12^th. The moon is 92-percent full and will interfere with observation. Normal rates as seen from rural locations, range from 50 to 100 shower members per hour at maximum. The Perseids are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. They are called Perseids because the radiant, the area of the sky from which the meteors seem to originate, is located near the prominent constellation of Perseus the Hero.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the August southernmost moon rises in waxing gibbous phase on the 5^th at 5:38 p.m. and sets on the 6^th at 3:08 a.m. The August northernmost moon rises as a waning crescent on the 18^th at 1:11 a.m., and sets at 4:40 p.m.  For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

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August 2nd to the 8th shows the Moon waxing which means more of its surface is illuminated. The Full Moon on the 9th ends this cycle. Starting from the 10th on, the Moon is waning. The First Quarter is on the 1st, and the Last Quarter is on the 15th. August 22nd marks the New Moon.

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