Four Rare Skywatching Events Line Up on the Same Day This Summer

Stargazers have had August 12 marked on their calendars for months. The day is set to feature four major astronomical events, including a rare planetary alignment, a solar eclipse, a new moon, and the famous Perseid meteor shower. Here is a look at what to keep your eyes peeled for on this historic day.

Mother Nature Will Show Off in the Skies on August 12

Wednesday, August 12 is shaping up to be the ultimate day for astronomical enthusiasts. The celestial extravaganza will kick off early in the morning with a planetary parade featuring six planets. Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune will line up together just before the sun comes up. Mars and Saturn will be the easiest planets to locate with the naked eye, while you need a telescope to catch a glimpse of Neptune.

Next up will be a partial solar eclipse that will be visible across several U.S. states. According to Time and Date, the eclipse will begin at about 11:34 am ET, reaching maximum saturation at 1:46 pm ET. Although the U.S. will not be in the path of the total solar eclipse, many states will see what looks like a small bite taken out of the sun.

States that will be in the path of the partial solar eclipse include Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Remember that you will need special solar eclipse glasses or instruments to safely watch the eclipse unfold.

The day will cap off with the much-anticipated Perseid meteor shower. Widely considered to be the best meteor shower of the year, the Perseids typically produce between 50 and 100 meteors per hour. This year's Perseid shower is expected to peak beginning on the evening of August 12 and into the early morning hours of August 13.

All of these celestial happenings will take place on the same day as the new moon. As such, the skies will be extra dark with no moonlight interfering with the stargazing. The unique timing of the new moon at the same time as the major astronomical events is a true unicorn moment for astronomers. Be sure to check your local weather forecast, as you will need clear skies to be able to catch these events up above.