Rare Celestial Event: Mars and Jupiter Alignment on August 14

Get ready to witness a rare celestial event on August 14 as Mars and Jupiter align in conjunction in the skies. This breathtaking event will see the two planets just a third of a degree apart, which is less than the width of a full Moon, as confirmed by NASA. Observers won't need any special equipment to catch a glimpse of Mars and Jupiter in the eastern sky for almost an hour before sunrise on August 14.

And as the sun rises, the Moon will also join the conjunction, appearing next to Jupiter and above Mars, creating a spectacular celestial display. This rare event will be visible once again on August 27 for an hour before sunrise. But why do planetary conjunctions occur in the first place? These events happen when two planets align closely in the sky from the perspective of Earth, despite being millions of kilometers apart in space.

August is proving to be an exciting month for astronomical events, with the Perseid meteor shower expected to peak on August 11, offering viewers a chance to see around 50 to 70 meteors per hour. NASA explains that the Perseid meteors originate from the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 133 years. When Earth passes through the comet's debris trail, the rocks collide with the planet's atmosphere, resulting in a dazzling meteor shower.

So mark your calendars and enjoy these celestial wonders in the night sky. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to witness the beauty of Mars, Jupiter, and the Perseid meteor shower this August.