501.

Jupiter at perigee Jupiter reaches its closest point to the Earth – marking the best time to observe it in 1970. Fri, 20 Aug 2021 at 01:25 EDT (1,062 days ago) in Capricornus

502.

Uranus enters retrograde motion Uranus reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Thu, 19 Aug 2021 at 20:57 EDT (1,063 days ago) in Aries

503.

Jupiter at opposition Jupiter lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it slightly closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Thu, 19 Aug 2021 at 20:20 EDT (1,063 days ago) in Capricornus

504.

Asteroid 43 Ariadne at opposition Asteroid 43 Ariadne makes closest approach to the Earth. Thu, 19 Aug 2021 at 07:58 EDT (1,063 days ago) in Aquarius

505.

Conjunction of Mercury and Mars Mercury and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4'48". Thu, 19 Aug 2021 at 00:09 EDT (1,063 days ago) in Leo

506.

Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii The Moon will pass in front of Sigma Sagittarii (Nunki), creating a lunar occultation visible from the Americas, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba, Clipperton Island, Grenada and Navassa Island. Wed, 18 Aug 2021 at 23:28 EDT (1,064 days ago) in Sagittarius

507.

κ-Cygnid meteor shower 2021 The κ-Cygnid meteor shower reaches its peak. Tue, 17 Aug 2021 (1,064 days ago) in Draco

508.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, making it appear fractionally larger than at other times of the month. Tue, 17 Aug 2021 at 05:15 EDT (1,065 days ago) in Ophiuchus

509.

Lunar occultation of Beta1 Scorpii The Moon will pass in front of Beta1 Scorpii (Acrab), creating a lunar occultation visible from Antarctica, New Zealand and Macquarie Island. Mon, 16 Aug 2021 at 05:00 EDT (1,066 days ago) in Scorpius

510.

Messier 2 is well placed The globular cluster M2 (NGC 7089; mag 6.6) in Aquarius culminates at around midnight local time. Sun, 15 Aug 2021 (1,067 days ago) in Aquarius

511.

Moon at First Quarter The Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight. Sun, 15 Aug 2021 at 11:20 EDT (1,067 days ago) in Libra

512.

Messier 15 is well placed The globular cluster M15 (NGC 7078; mag 6.3) in Pegasus culminates at around midnight local time. Sat, 14 Aug 2021 (1,068 days ago) in Pegasus

513.

Perseid meteor shower 2021 The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak. Thu, 12 Aug 2021 (1,070 days ago) in Perseus

514.

Close approach of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus pass close to each other. Wed, 11 Aug 2021 at 06:26 EDT (1,071 days ago) in Virgo

515.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus The Moon and Venus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°17'. Wed, 11 Aug 2021 at 02:59 EDT (1,071 days ago) in Virgo

516.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 4°17'. Mon, 09 Aug 2021 at 20:42 EDT (1,073 days ago) in Leo

517.

The Moon at perihelion The Moon passes its orbit's closest point to the Sun, which happens each month around the time of new moon. Mon, 09 Aug 2021 at 14:41 EDT (1,073 days ago) in Leo

518.

New Moon The Moon disappears into the Sun's glare for a few days. Sun, 08 Aug 2021 at 09:51 EDT (1,074 days ago) in Cancer

519.

The Moon at apogee The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Earth, making it appear fractionally smaller than at other times of the month. Mon, 02 Aug 2021 at 03:35 EDT (1,080 days ago) in Taurus

520.

Saturn at opposition Saturn lies in the opposite direction to the Sun in the sky, making it slightly closer, brighter and larger than at other times. It is also optimally positioned to be observable for much of the night. Mon, 02 Aug 2021 at 02:06 EDT (1,080 days ago) in Capricornus