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National Geographic
5 days ago
- Science
- National Geographic
8 night sky events to see in August, from a ‘sturgeon moon' to a stunning 6-planet lineup
A near full 'sturgeon moon' rises behind The Shard in central London on August 20, 2024. The August full moon, named after seasonal sturgeon fishing traditions, is one of several major skywatching events this month. Photograph by Peter Macdiarmid, eyevine/Redux August is one of the best months of the year for stargazing in the Northern Hemisphere, thanks to warm nights and the famous Perseid meteor shower. Though the Perseids will be dampened by bright moonlight this year, you should still be able to see meteors if the skies are clear. But meteors aren't the only thing lighting up the heavens. This August, you can catch a rare six-planet lineup, a brilliant full moon, and one of the largest asteroids in our solar system glowing at peak brightness. Here's everything to look for in the skies above. The 'sturgeon moon'—August 9 The month's full 'sturgeon moon' occurs on the night of August 9. The nickname, popularized by the Farmer's Almanac, comes from the giant fish traditionally caught in late summer by Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes region. Though the specific timing varies by location, the moon generally rises around sunset, glowing brightly throughout the night and setting after sunrise. That gives skywatchers plenty of time to observe the textured surface of the moon in detail through binoculars or telescopes. The Sturgeon Moon rises over Madrid's Cuatro Torres business district on August 1, 2023. The August full moon gets its name from Indigenous fishing traditions in the Great Lakes region of North America, when sturgeon were most abundant. Photograph by Javier Soriano, AFP/Getty Images One of the solar system's biggest asteroids, 2 Pallas, reaches peak brightness on the night of August 10. That's when the space rock reaches opposition—positioned directly opposite the sun in Earth's sky—making it visible all night long as it rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. Discovered in 1802, Pallas is our solar system's third-largest known asteroid by mass, with an average diameter of about 318 miles. It belongs to a group known as the 'big four,' which includes the dwarf planet Ceres. Although Pallas won't be visible to the naked eye, experienced stargazers with a telescope or high-powered binoculars might be able to spot it in the constellation Delphinus. Six planets march across the sky—around August 10 In the early morning hours around August 10, skywatchers can catch a stunning planetary parade: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all appear in the sky at once. Mars, the lone outlier, will only be visible earlier in the evening. (Here's the best way to see a planetary alignment.) According to NASA, such 'planetary parades' are not very rare. In fact, we had one earlier this year. But they're commonly limited to four or five planets, making this six-planet show one to catch. Just note: Mercury may be hard to spot due to its proximity to the sun, and Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope. Perseid meteor shower peak—August 12–13 The Perseid meteor shower—one of the most reliable and beloved annual displays of shooting stars—is expected to peak overnight on August 12 into the morning of August 13. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the Perseids can produce up to 100 meteors per hour. But this year, the waning gibbous moon will put a damper on the show. At 84 percent brightness, it could wash out more than three-quarters of the meteors, according to the American Meteor Society. Sheep graze under the northern lights near Hagermarsch, Germany, on August 13, 2024, as a Perseid meteor streaks across the sky. Photograph by Matthias Balk,On the morning of August 19, Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation—its farthest apparent distance from the sun in the sky, making it one of the best times this year to spot the elusive planet. Around the same time, Venus and Jupiter will also be visible, making it worth the effort to rise early this morning. In the early hours of August 21, a close approach of the crescent moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will create a beautiful tableau in the predawn sky. The bright stars Castor, Pollux, and Procyon will join the display. This eye-catching grouping will be most visible during the hour before sunrise, low in the eastern sky. The Milky Way stretches across the sky from Cassiopeia to Cygnus and the Andromeda Galaxy appears above a 3000-year old bristlecone pine, California, August 9, 2016. Photograph by Babak Tafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection A bright Perseid meteor streaks through a star-filled sky above Wizard Island in Oregon's famed Crater Lake. Photograph by John R. Foster, Science Photo Library The new moon on August 23 brings prime stargazing conditions, as the absence of moonlight allows for optimal viewing of distant galaxies, wispy nebulae, and even the last meteors from the Perseids. It's an excellent time to scan the Milky Way with binoculars or a telescope if you have dark enough skies. (A practical guide to stargazing.) Late August also marks the start of peak season for spotting the Andromeda galaxy, our closest neighbor, in the Northern Hemisphere. Without any light pollution from the moon, the galaxy can be seen with the naked eye. Just after sunset on August 26, look low in the western sky to spot the crescent moon cozying up to Mars, only about 2.5 degrees apart. Depending on your location, the pair may only be visible briefly around sunset, very low in the sky. Though Mars is currently dimmer than usual due to its orbital location, its red hue is still clearly visible to the naked eye. Stars shine over the sandstone cliffs of Meteora, Greece, on August 5, 2013. Photograph by Babak Tafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection
National Geographic
01-08-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Should you still squash spotted lanternflies? Here's what to know
Scientists and lawmakers alike are looking for ways to combat these invasive insects. But do they still present the same environmental harm as we originally thought? Spotted lanternflies have become a major issue in the Midwest and Northeast, and are particularly affecting the wine industry. Photograph By Marc McAndrews/Redux Late summer is that notorious time of year when spotted lanternflies transform from inconspicuous, polka-dotted nymphs to big, bumblebee-sized insects clinging to tree trunks and fluttering through the air. These non-native insects in the planthopper family were accidentally introduced to the U.S. in 2014—possibly on an international shipment bound for Berks County in eastern Pennsylvania. While harmless to humans—and actually rather beautiful to behold, thanks to their crimson and yellow markings—the bugs feed on over 70 different kinds of plants and trees in the U.S. alone, making them an invasive species. They have a taste for certain plants, namely tree of heaven—also an invasive species from Asia—as well as native species, such as black walnut, several species of maple, hops, and grapevines. The threat posed to American agriculture is why a bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced a bill called the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which would make competitive grants available for research projects related to the mitigation of the invasive species. "Across our community, I hear time and again about how devastating these pests can be,' says Pennsylvania Representative Chrissy Houlahan in a press release. 'Whether you're a farmer, a homeowner, or just someone who enjoys the delicious produce grown by our community's farmers, the invasive Spotted Lanternfly poses a serious problem.' Here's what to know about the invasive species, and what's being done to minimize their harm. Where guests are guardians (Inside the race to kill an invasive menace—before it gets to a town near you.) Why spotted lanternflies are so bad for plants While lanternflies don't appear to kill most trees outright, as was initially feared, large aggregations can affect plant health. As true bugs in the order Hemiptera, spotted lanternflies suck nutrients out of host plants with mouthparts that act like a hypodermic needle. 'It's really different from what most insects do, which is chew on plants,' says Holly Shugart, an entomologist and postdoctoral researcher at Pennsylvania State University. Spotted lanternflies sucks the nutrients out of plants, which can weaken them and potentially lead to their death. Photograph By Marc McAndrews/Redux Worst of all, the spotted lanternfly is a skilled hitchhiker, able to cling to surfaces that travel at high speeds, such as cars and trains. Their putty-like egg masses, each of which contain between 30 to 50 eggs, can survive months of extreme weather and cold on a variety of surfaces, such as tree bark or the side of a shipping container. Where are spotted lanternflies wreaking the most havoc? Since arriving in the U.S., spotted lanternflies have exploded in number and can now be found from Massachusetts and Virginia to Illinois and Tennessee. Unfortunately, the insects arrived in a new location last year—one long feared by those in the wine industry. 'We've always told the growers in the Finger Lakes, it's not a matter of if they get here. It's when they'll get here,' says Hans Walter-Peterson, a viticulture specialist for Cornell University's Cooperative Extension. (Invasive spotted lanternflies have a taste for grapes—what does that mean for wine?) When too many lanternflies siphon nutrients from a grapevine, they can reduce fruit yields, affect fruit quality, and even kill the host plant. They can also transmit nasty pathogens to those plants, such as black sooty mold. Because of these factors, researchers in one study estimated that in Pennsylvania alone, spotted lanternflies could lead to an economic loss of $554 million annually and almost 5,000 jobs. Can we eradicate spotted lanternflies completely? While people in parts of the Northeast and Midwest are already well aware of the insects, and some have even been smashing them on sight—as many local governments and scientists have suggested—vigilante bug hunters won't be enough to curb the spread, experts say. Fortunately, however, there's evidence that native predators are starting to get a taste for the foreign insect. In lab tests, spined soldier bugs and Carolina mantises have proven to be effective lanternfly predators, and blue jays, cardinals, chickens, spiders, yellowjackets, and ants have all been observed eating lanternflies out in the wild. Lanternfly-sniffing dogs are also emerging as a promising new avenue in the effort to prevent these spotted insects from popping up in new places. Just as canines have been trained to sniff out explosives, drugs, and even viruses like COVID-19, the animals may also be a critical tool in the fight against invasive species. (Learn how dogs put their noses to work sniffing out wildlife.) 'Pretty much everything has a smell,' says Sally Dickinson, a doctoral candidate at Virginia Tech. And that goes for spotted lanternfly egg masses, which the insects produce in the fall and secrete in out-of-the-way hiding spots. In nature, that might mean the underside of a branch, but in human-dominated environments, that includes metal or plastic, like a railroad car, just as well as wood. Other researchers are working on new pesticide formulations and application methods, but so far, no one has landed on a silver bullet solution to the lanternfly problem. That's why funding new science on eradication is so critical. 'This invasive pest inflicts severe damage, threatening not only our crops but the livelihoods of hardworking farmers and the very future of our agricultural communities,' says New York Congressman Langworthy in the press release. 'This crisis can no longer be ignored.'
Economist
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Economist
Donald Trump's unprecedented attack on Brazil's judiciary
The Americas | A new assault Button down the hatches Photograph: Dado Galdieri/The New York Times/Redux/Eyevine Jul 31st 2025 | São Paulo | 6 min read 'L et this be a warning to those who would trample on the fundamental rights of their countrymen,' Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, posted on X, a social-media service, on July 30th. The would-be human-rights trampler was Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge. The warning came in the form of sanctions placed on Mr Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act, freezing his assets in American banks and prohibiting him from entering the United States. World Donald Trump The Americas Brazil A new dam should ease the Panama Canal's water woes. Those against it don't have a chance They are currently in disarray. Hoping that his government fails is their main strategy Amid monetary mayhem in Venezuela digital finance is booming and may threaten the regime MAGA bullying is backfiring, boosting Lula's government Jovenel Moïse was gunned down in his bedroom four years ago Rotting seaweed is stinking up Caribbean beaches
National Geographic
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
7 of the best book festivals around the world
The ritual of convening around books is a worldwide tradition—from the small fishing village of Treasure Beach in Jamaica to a countryside street in Wales. To pore over a new book in a new setting with like-minded people garners community and inspiration. Add in a gorgeous setting, riveting speakers, and some of the world's best restaurants and hotels nearby, and book festivals can serve as a starting point for a greater travel adventure, too. Whether you're a longtime bibliophile or simply looking to be inspired while traveling, here are seven literature festivals worth visiting that you should consider planning for right now. 1. Calabash Literary Festival, Treasure Beach, Jamaica This biennial festival showcases the power of community and books to their fullest. Over three days, award-winning author deliver powerful words via an excerpt from their latest book. Past year attendees and speakers have included Padma Lakshmi, Jamaica Kincaid, Zadie Smith, and Angelina Jolie. Afternoons at Calabash Literary Festival are spent in conversation over glasses of rum punch at family-owned Jake's Hotel, the host of the popular festival. After Hurricane Beryl's devastation to the region in 2024, the literary festival returned in May 2025, bolstered by an international community. Attendees delighted in hearing the voices of actress Sheryl Lee Ralph read from her memoir, Diva, while Jamaican native Safiya Sinclair read thought-provoking prose from How to Say Babylon. British poet Linton Kwesi Johnson holds a copy of his book, 'Time Come,' at the Calabash International Literary Festival. Photograph By Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times/Redux During the Calabash International Literary Festival, book lovers can stay at the 49-room Jake's Hotel, located in Treasure Beach on the south coast of Jamaica. Photograph By Christian Heeb/laif/Redux Where to stay: When planning a visit, there's no better place to stay than Jake's Hotel, home to a collection of colorful oceanfront bungalows and cottages that are just steps away from the festival's main stage. The property represents the most authentic taste of Jamaica. (10 of Jamaica's best hotels, from waterfront villas to mountain cabins with a view.) 2. Martha's Vineyard Book Festivals, Massachusetts, U.S. A haven for seaside communion spread over six towns, Martha's Vineyard plays host to two literary festivals each summer. The Martha's Vineyard Book Festival sprang from the Chilmark Community Center's evening lecture series and will celebrate its 20th anniversary this August. The free, weekend-long event's theme this year is 'The Power of Perspective,' and will take place in the quaint town of Chilmark. Also in August, the Martha's Vineyard Black Book Festival will draw crowds to the region for its second year. Founded by talent agent powerhouse Traci Wilkes Smith, the festival showcases both aspiring and established Black authors through a variety of panels, fireside chats, and lively social events that demonstrate why the island has been such an important fixture in the Black community for decades. Notable authors who will speak include Kiano Moju, author of AfriCali: Recipes from My Jikoni, and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You can also optimize your visit by checking out the popular events that take place in August as well. Where to stay: Faraway Martha's Vineyard offers an impressive collection of shingle-roofed suites and rooms in the idyllic Edgartown. The easiest way to get to Martha's Vineyard is by plane. (Love reading? These are the best book towns around the world.) 3. Jaipur Literature Festival, India This renowned five-day festival in the historic Pink City of Jaipur first began in 2006 as a small gathering for book lovers. Since then, nearly half a million attendees have traveled to India to partake in a literary festival where you can spot a celebrity as easily as your favorite author. This year's 18th edition featured acclaimed writers, Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, and luminaries like Geetanjali Shree and Lucy Caldwell. Theatrical adaptations of some books take center stage on the festival's Music Stage. Where to stay: Consider checking into The Oberoi Rajvilas, a 68-room palace stretched across 32 acres of manicured lawns that offer respite from the bustle of the city. (A guide to Jaipur's craft scene, from Rajasthani block printing to marble carving.) People congregate on the lawn during the popular Jaipur Literature Festival, the world's largest free literary festival. Photograph By Radiokafka/Shutterstock 4. Brooklyn Book Festival, New York Every September, Brooklyn becomes a literary haven for nine days. As New York City's largest free festival, the Brooklyn Book Festival will celebrate its 25th year this fall with one of the most diverse author lineups. Many genres are well-represented, including poetry and graphic storytelling. The finale of this festival takes place in parks and plazas across downtown Brooklyn. The festival's literary marketplace features a diverse array of books sold directly by authors and publishers. For those who can't make it to the festival in person, there's a Virtual Festival Day to catch the lineup of talent. Beyond the festival, it's never hard to find something to do in Brooklyn, especially in the fall when temperatures are more agreeable. Where to stay: Make your home base the legendary Beekman—A Thompson Hotel, a Martin Brudnizki-designed showstopper with a nine-level atrium and plenty of quiet nooks to cozy up with your next great read. (Seven literary destinations around the UK to inspire children) Bibliophiles can travel to the charming town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales for the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts. Photograph By Jeff Morgan/Camera Press/Redux 5. Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, Wales, U.K. Situated against the backdrop of the grassy moorlands and stunning summit views in Wales' Brecon Beacons National Park, the Hay Festival brings together voices in literature from countries such as Kenya, Peru, and Mexico. Its location in Hay-On-Wye is also quite significant. In the 1960s, antiquarian and academic Richard Booth began filling the empty buildings of the small town with second-hand books. Voracious readers from the United Kingdom and beyond began descending upon this corner of Wales, eagerly pursuing another page-turning treasure. Today, this popular book town turns it up another notch with the Hay Festival every May. Beyond conversations with award-winning authors, there are also cooking workshops, tours of centuries-old castles, and musical performances. Where to stay: The Swan at Hay is a cozy, 19-room hotel that situated just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. You can also check into Llangoed Hall, a stately countryside retreat that wows with exceptional attention to detail in each guest room–including a decanted Madeira welcome bottle on arrival. Get more information about how to get to Hay-on-Wye here. (Hay-on-Wye and beyond: 5 of the UK & Ireland's best spring literary festivals) 6. International Literary Festival Berlin, Germany This mega festival in Berlin brings together over 200 authors and around 20,000 attendees every spring. Contemporary poetry, prose, nonfiction, graphic novels, and young adult literature are all discussed across 300 events in theaters and museum halls in the city. Speakers in attendance this year include Isabel Allende, author of The House of Spirits, and Arundhati Roy, author of The God of Small Things. One exciting segment of this festival is its Young Program, which offers children and teenagers readings and workshops that encourage cultural diversity. More than 200 authors and 20,000 attendees converge on Berlin for the Berlin International Literature Festival every spring. Photograph By Jens Kalaene/Where to stay: Book lovers should consider the Grand Hyatt Berlin and Hotel Palace Berlin. Both hotels are just steps away from some of the city's most popular landmarks, including Berliner Philharmonie (Philharmonic Hall) and Berlin Cathedral. (How to spend a day exploring Berlin's art and design scene) 7. Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival, New Orleans, U.S. New Orleans is renowned for its lively community events, from the revelry of Mardi Gras to the palpable joy of a second-line celebration. Every spring, the Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival lands in the city's historic French Quarter. The five-day event pays homage to American writer Tennessee Williams, who was a longtime resident of the Crescent City, where two of his major plays—A Streetcar Named Desire and Vieux Carré—were set. The Saints + Sinners Literary Festival is one of the festival's programs, created to bring the LGBTQ+ literary community together to celebrate the literary arts. Outside of the festival, spring is an ideal time to explore and appreciate the city's beauty. The low-hanging oak trees of St. Charles Avenue that shade busy cafes and bars or a drum circle in Congo Square. Where to stay: Bibliophiles can stay at the Hotel St. Vincent with its glowing brick facade. Grab a drink poolside or Cajun fried oyster banh mi from the on-site Elizabeth Street Café. At night, the Chapel Club is a dimly lit space with speakeasy vibes and plush chairs to lounge. (How to plan a walking tour exploring the alternative arts scene in New Orleans) Kristin Braswell is a travel journalist and founder of Crush Global Travel. She has penned pieces for Vogue, Bon Appetit, USA Today, NPR, Architectural Digest, and the Los Angeles Times, among others.
Economist
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economist
Booze, bills and $500,000 photoshoots: the golden age of magazines
Culture | In (and out) of Vogue Sharp haircut, sharper judgments Photograph: Eyevine/Redux/New York Times/Edward Keating 'F ucking' was forbidden. So too was 'chortling', 'quipping', 'donning', 'penning', 'opining' and—lest that list of linguistic prohibitions left any writer feeling faint—'passing away'. The list of banned words in Vanity Fair was, for such a glamorous magazine, parsimonious, even pious: 'glitzy' was vetoed; 'hookers' were out; hair must not be 'coiffed'; one never ate in an 'eatery'. Condé Nast's magazines may have celebrated fancy living, but they did so in plain English. The conservative Babylon Bee is finding it easier than the Onion A tech bro created a viral reservation-trading website. The industry wants to shut it down Here are five of the best tracks by heavy metal's 'prince of darkness' Chances are you have come across a 'Strix' cushion or a 'Rinnig' tea towel These days you can find Canto-Western food in several countries Our picks ask why people believe in religion, ideology or conspiracy theories
