While much media and science in the days ahead will focus on the upcoming total eclipse on August 21, we on the Vineyard shouldn’t forget that even though we will only get a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse, we’ve still got plenty astronomical events overhead this month at night.

August is meteor shower month. There are two meteor showers that offer night viewers a show and there is a pretty good chance you’ll see a meteor if your are out enjoying the evening. The Delta Aquarids meteor shower peeked last Friday night but remnants of the shower will continue into this month.

Later in August there is the Perseid meteor shower, but even now there might be an early sighting.

August is the best month to view “shooting stars” because the weather is so kind. More people step outside under the canopy of stars, planets and the moon than at any other time of year. Fortunately, there is the second most popular meteor shower, the Perseid Meteor shower, on August 11 to 12 to enjoy. Meteors can be seen any night through the year, but we’ve got an ideal chance to see them now.