Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2025-W34

Week begins: Monday, August 18, 2025

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Aug 18, 2025♌ 28
Sheliak (β Lyr) — Binoculars 4 — Northern Summer — in the Milky Way
M11 — Telescope 6 — Tropical Summer
Tue, Aug 19, 2025♌ 29
Finest NGC 94 / NGC 6712 — Telescope 8 — Tropical Summer
M57 — Telescope 9 — Northern Summer
M54 — Telescope 8 — Southern Summer
Nunki (σ Sgr) — Naked eye 2 — Southern Summer
Wed, Aug 20, 2025♌ 30
Thu, Aug 21, 2025♌ 31
C68 / NGC 6729 · R Coronae Australis Nebula — Telescope 10 — Southern Summer
Fri, Aug 22, 2025♍ 1
♍ Sun enters Virgo — 20:33:51 UTC
Sat, Aug 23, 2025♍ 2
🌑 New Moon — 06:06:33 UTC
Meridiana (α CrA) — Binoculars 4 — Southern Summer
C101 / NGC 6744 — Telescope 9 — Southern Summer
β CrA — Binoculars 4 — Southern Summer
Sun, Aug 24, 2025♍ 3
C93 / NGC 6752 — Telescope 5 — Southern Summer

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins August 18, 2025, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♌︎ 25°19′
β +0°00′		♊︎ 18°51′
β +5°14′		♌︎ 6°53′
β −1°15′		♋︎ 20°52′
β −0°37′		♎︎ 6°56′
β +0°25′		♋︎ 15°13′
β −0°03′		♈︎ 0°54′
β −2°26′
ObservingNightNaked eye -9.2☉︎Naked eye -4.0Naked eye 1.6Naked eye -2.0Naked eye 0.7
Rise05:0123:0503:2902:0408:4101:3420:22
Set18:5915:3318:0217:1520:3016:5808:12

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♈︎ 16°41′
β −13°52′		♊︎ 1°18′
β −0°13′		♈︎ 1°41′
β −1°22′		♒︎ 2°03′
β −3°47′
ObservingTelescope 8.3Binoculars 5.7Telescope 7.7TelescopeTelescope 14.4
Rise21:5522:3720:1818:09
Set09:1013:3608:1802:51

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-23 14:21:54 UTC

View:

ISO 2025-W34 runs from August 18 through August 24. Saturn and Neptune are separated by about 0.8° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Naked eye: 🌑 New Moon — 06:06:33 UTC. The dark Moon favors faint targets and extended star fields. Use Nunki as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Nunki — the Teapot’s hidden pair — The bright guide on Sagittarius’s Teapot handle is two hot stars in a close orbit, with a name inherited through a historical mix-up.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -9.2; direct motion; 30.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Aug 23 06:06 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Aug 21 18:13 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Aug 20 12:27 UTC. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Aug 19 22:02 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude 0.1; direct motion; 36.4% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 21 18:13 UTC. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.0; direct motion; 80.4% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 20 12:27 UTC. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 1.6; direct motion; 95.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.3; retrograde motion; 98.1% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -2.0; direct motion; 99.6% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 19 22:02 UTC. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; retrograde motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.4; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Binoculars: Trace Lyra’s closed figure in the finder, then identify Sheliak at its charted position. Trace Corona Australis’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Alfecca Meridiana at its charted position. Trace Corona Australis’s charted figure in the finder, then identify β CrA at its charted position.

Sheliak: The Lyr Star in Focus — An overview of the notable binary star system in Lyra, its characteristics, and its significance in astronomy.

Alfecca Meridiana: The Southern Star of Corona Australis — A detailed look at a prominent star in the constellation Corona Australis, revealing its significance and characteristics.

Beta Coronae Australis: The Star of the Southern Hemisphere — An illuminating guide to one of the notable stars in the constellation Corona Australis, offering a glimpse into its celestial significance.

Small telescope: Wild Duck Cluster: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 6712: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Ring Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M54: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; R Coronae Australis Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 6744: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 6752: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

The Wild Duck Cluster: A Sparkling Gem in Scutum — An enduring favorite among stargazers, this open cluster reveals a vibrant congregation of stars nestled in the constellation Scutum.

A Deep Dive into the Globular Cluster in Scutum — An exploration of a celestial gem nestled within the constellation of Scutum, highlighting its significance and characteristics.

The Ring Nebula: A Timeless Jewel in the Constellation Lyra — An enduring subject for astronomers, the Ring Nebula offers insight into stellar evolution and the beauty of the cosmos.

M54: A Glimpse into the Heart of the Sagittarius Cluster — An exploration of the intriguing globular cluster M54, its characteristics, and significance within the constellation Sagittarius.

R Coronae Australis Nebula: A Custodian of Cosmic Birthoffs — An inviting glimpse into a vibrant stellar nursery nestled in the constellation Corona Australis.

Unveiling the Mysteries of a Galactic Candidate in Pav Constellaion — Exploring the characteristics and significance of a notable barred spiral galaxy in the Pav constellation.

The Globular Cluster in Pav: A Celestial Beacon — An enduring fixture in the southern skies, this globular cluster offers stargazers a glimpse into the ancient cosmos.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 03:29; sets 18:02 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.1. The disk is 36.4% illuminated (crescent). It is 18.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.791° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 8.1° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 21 18:13 UTC. Mercury: 8.1° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 23.1° below the horizon. Rises 02:04; sets 17:15 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.0. The disk is 80.4% illuminated (gibbous). It is 34.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.183° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 7.8° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 20 12:27 UTC. Venus: 7.8° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 13.3° below the horizon. Rises 23:05; sets 15:33 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -9.2. The disk is 30.2% illuminated (waning crescent). It is 66.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 14.077° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Elnath, 4.1° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Aug 23 06:06 UTC. Conjunction with Mercury in ecliptic longitude Aug 21 18:13 UTC. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Aug 20 12:27 UTC. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Aug 19 22:02 UTC. Moon: 4.1° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 5.9° below the horizon. Rises 08:41; sets 20:30 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.6. The disk is 95.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 41.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.634° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 9.4° away. Mars: 9.4° from Zavijava in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 22.4° below the horizon. Rises 01:34; sets 16:58 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -2.0. The disk is 99.6% illuminated (nearly full). It is 40.1° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.198° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 8.8° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 19 22:02 UTC. Jupiter: 8.8° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 6.2° above the horizon. Rises 20:22; sets 08:12 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 144.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.055° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.6° away. Neptune is 1.3° away at the snapshot. Saturn: 16.6° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 13.8° below the horizon. Rises 22:37; sets 13:36 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 84.0° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.016° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 10.3° away. Uranus: 10.3° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 6.9° above the horizon. Rises 20:18; sets 08:18 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 143.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.021° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.4° away. Saturn is 1.3° away at the snapshot. Neptune: 16.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 10.2° below the horizon. Rises 21:55; sets 09:10 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.3. The disk is 98.1% illuminated (gibbous). It is 127.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.037° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 13.7° away. Ceres: 13.7° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 18.5° above the horizon. Rises 18:09; sets 02:51 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.4. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 156.4° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.021° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.7° away. Pluto: 8.7° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.