What to observe in the sky in August 2025 with a smart telescope.
30 Jul. 2025
August 2025 astronomical calendar
It is recommended to observe nebulae and galaxies when the Moon is not visible. Its brightness diminishes the darkness of the sky and reduces the quality of observations of faint and diffuse objects.
Refer to the following calendar for the best days this month.
Morning of August 12: Close approach of Jupiter and Venus.
Both planets will be visible within the same field of view
August 11-12–13: Peak of the Perseid meteor shower
with up to 100 meteors per hour.
Celestial Scene of the Month
Northern sky
Located in the heart of the Milky Way, the constellation Cygnus is famous for its many iconic nebulae—among them, the Veil Nebula and the North America Nebula are particularly well known. The entire “body” of the Swan is bathed in numerous H II regions, vast clouds of ionized hydrogen where new stars are being born.
From the bright star Sadr (Gamma Cygni), past the Crescent Nebula and beyond, these emission regions are especially prominent when using a dual-band filter, which highlights the red hydrogen-alpha emissions.
Southern sky
Nestled in the southern constellation of Scorpius, the Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334) and the War and Peace Nebula (NGC 6357) form a spectacular duo of emission nebulae glowing with the reddish hues of ionized hydrogen.
The Cat’s Paw, named for its striking paw-like shape conceal dozens of young, massive stars still wrapped in their natal gas. Just a few degrees away, the War and Peace Nebula—also known as the Lobster Nebula due to its crustacean-like outline—offers a similarly rich tapestry of glowing gas, dark dust lanes, and embedded star clusters. Its poetic nickname "War and Peace" comes from the contrast seen in infrared imagery: one side resembling a dove (peace), the other a skull (war).
"Plan my Night" of the month
Suggested observation program you can automate with "Plan My Night."
Give each object as much observation time as you can to get the best results.
Northern sky
Best observed with the dual-band filter.
| Time | Target |
|---|---|
| Early Night |
M27 - Dumbbell Nebula, a.k.a. the Apple Core Nebula |
| Mid Night |
Pacman Nebula - NGC281 |
| Late Night |
Cocoon Nebula - IC 5146 |
Southern sky
To be observed without the dual band filter
| Time | Target |
|---|---|
| Early Night |
M27 - Dumbbell Nebula, a.k.a. the Apple Core Nebula |
| Mid Night |
Helix Nebula - Caldwell 63 |
| Late Night |
Sculptor Galaxy a.k.a. the Silver Dollar Galaxy - Caldwell 65 |
Around the full moon
During the few nights surrounding the full moon, it's best to focus on star clusters, which are less affected by the Moon’s light pollution.
Northern sky
Caroline's Rose, a.k.a. the White Rose - NGC 7789, open cluster, magnitude 6.7, constellation: Cassiopeia
Southern sky
M11 - the Wild Duck cluster, open cluster, magnitude 5.8, constellation: Scutum (the Shield)
Challenging Target of the Month
Seahorse Nebula (Barnard 150) & the Fireworks Galaxy (Caldwell 12)
Visibility: Northern hemisphere
Constellation: Cepheus
Magnitude: Drak nebula & Spiral galaxy: 9.6
Both objects can be captured within the same field of view using mosaic mode.
The Firework Galaxy is located between the constellations Cepheus and Cygnus, just outside the plane of the Milky Way. This face-on spiral galaxy has earned its name: it has hosted an astonishing number of supernovae over the last century, making it one of the most supernova-active galaxies known.
Nearby, but closer to home in our own galaxy, is a more subtle treasure: the Seahorse Nebula, a winding trail of dark dust silhouetted against the brighter Milky Way backdrop in the constellation Cepheus. This dark nebula doesn't shine — it hides. Like a shadow cast across the stars. It's a stunning example of how dust can both obscure and sculpt the star clouds.
Together, the Fireworks Galaxy and the Seahorse Nebula offer a beautiful juxtaposition: one a distant galaxy ablaze with stellar birth and death, the other a quiet cradle of potential stars hidden within our own. Observing them side by side reminds us of the immense variety of structures in the universe.
R Coronae Australis (R CrA) molecular cloud complex a.k.a. the Baboon Nebula
Visibility: Southern hemisphere
Constellation: Corona Australis
Mosaic mode required
R Coronae Australis is a young, variable star that flickers in brightness, still wrapped in the remnants of the dense nebular cocoon from which it emerged. Around it swirls a mesmerizing blend of dark nebulae, reflection nebulae, most famously captured in the contrasting swathes of bright blue and inky black — a rich canvas for wide-field observation.
Within this same complex lies a whimsical figure etched into shadow — the Baboon Nebula, a dark nebula whose silhouette resembles the profile of a baboon’s head peering through the void. It’s not an official designation but a popular nickname coined by astrophotographers who recognize the primate shape amidst the tangle of dark lanes. Like many dark nebulae, it is made of cold molecular dust that blocks starlight behind it, sculpting negative space into form.
What makes this region special is how it offers both beauty and science: a reflection nebula glowing with scattered starlight, dense dust clouds hiding infant stars, and a variable star still dancing its erratic tune as it evolves.
Magnitude and angular size reminder
