Comet Giacobini-Zinner may become visible this month as it approaches the Sun in its 6-and-a-half-year orbit.
Its path will take it past Cassiopeia and Perseus during August, and then past Auriga in early September. Use binoculars to look for its fuzzy glowing head and short, dim tail.
On August 11, skywatchers in remote northern Canada and Russia will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse as the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun.
Shortly after, the Perseid meteor shower—an always-anticipated feature of the August night sky—will peak. Look for meteors during the early morning hours of August 12 and 13.
With the Moon out of the way, the sky will be dark, and several dozen meteors per hour may be seen under good conditions.
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