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August is going out big—super, actually.
The final days of the month will see two celestial events team up for one hell of a skyward collaboration, which will be on view even in the light-polluted boroughs of New York City.
Since Sunday, August 27, NYC residents have been given ringside seats to, well, Saturn's rings—the solar system’s second-largest planet has been located directly opposite of the sun this week, making it appear bigger and brighter in the night sky. To the untrained eye, those famous rings will simply look like a particularly bright, yellowish star, but a basic pair of binoculars will get you a peek at Saturn’s distinguishing features.
RECOMMENDED: Four great ways to go stargazing in NYC
The planet should remain visible through February 2024, but you'll especially want to get a closer look during the evenings of Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31, when that planetary occasion coincides with another rare astronomical event, a super blue moon. Despite the colorful moniker, a blue moon simply refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month, but a super blue moon occurs when the moon's orbit is closest to Earth, making our lunar buddy look even larger and more lovely than normal.
New Yorkers should especially keep their eyes peeled on Wednesday, August 30, when the waxing gibbous will be close to Saturn's rings. Per Space.com: "In New York City, the moon, in the constellation Aquarius, rises the evening of Aug. 30 at 7:44pm and sets the next morning at 6:47am Saturn will appear above and to the right of the moon as it rises. The closest approach between the moon and Saturn will occur at 2:07pm”
If you want to do some stargazing for yourself in the city, you can check out SUMMIT One Vanderbilt’s Astronomy Nights or join the Amateur Astronomers Association for one of their free observing events. Space-heads can also check out never-before-seen NASA footage at the "Beyond the Light" immersive experience at ARTECHOUSE in Chelsea.