August!

August, the eigth month, was named for Augustus Caesar and once had the Anglo-Saxon name of Weodmonath, or “weed month.” Though my late father used to say the weeds didn't need a month named for them to keep trying to overrun his garden.

About the middle of the month, you may notice subtle changes; cooler nights, a shift in the quality of light, darkness falling a bit earlier now and, if they are native to where you're living, the music of crickets in the evenings.

The orb weaver spider knows that the seasos are shifting, and every morning fences, shrubs and sometimes window frames are decorated with their work.



August is a great month for stargazing and sees the return of Jupiter, which is the brightest star in the evening sky. Read about a recent Jupiter discovery HERE. This dazzling planet was last this close to Earth in 1963. Its stately, oval orbit around the Sun takes nearly 12 Earth years. It rises at sunset and is out all night as the sky's brightest star, until Venus pops up soon before dawn. Also, watch for the Moon very near the red star Antares at nightfall on the 27th.

Jupiter


Thanks to the Old Farmer's Almanac, National Geographic and NASA for the info! Click on the photos to enlarge the images.