AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

Jupiter and Saturn are spectacularly displayed this month with both planets reaching opposition. Crossing the meridian close to midnight, these gas giants dominate the northern sky in a region devoid of bright stars. Both planets are at their brightest with Jupiter only outshone by Venus. Being closest to Earth, the planets present impressively larger images than normal. This is an ideal time to look for features on Jupiter such as the Great Red Spot and Saturn’s rings.