New Moon: 30th August
First Quarter: 7th September
Full Moon: 15th September
Last Quarter: 22nd September

On August 16th 2008, there’ll be a partial eclipse of the Moon visible from most parts of Europe and Africa, and also Australia and South America.

A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth’s shadow covers the surface of the Moon.

It’s been a great month for eclipses - there was a Solar eclipse on August 1st.

Here’s hoping for clear skies!

48% of the World’s primates species are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List which highlights habitat loss, hunting and the illegal trade of wildlife as prime factors in the demise of some of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

Countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia are in danger of losing between 80 and 90% of their native species of monkeys, other primates and apes in the near future.

Hunting these mainly highly social, diurnal (daytime active) animals has become easier in once inaccessible regions as forests have been cleared and habitats destroyed by the action of humans.

Also, because these are long-lived animals, reversing the decline in populations takes a long time… time which is running out for more and more species.

You can read a BBC News report about ‘Primates face extinction crisis’ here.

On Saturday, August 1st 2008 a total solar eclipse was visible from some parts of the Northern hemisphere.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun from our observation point on the Earth, casting a dramatic shadow on our planet and treating astronomers to spectacular views of the Sun’s outer atmosphere.

In some parts of the UK, where the cloud cover cleared, a partial eclipse was visible. In Lerwick, Shetland - as much as 36% of the Sun was obscured briefly by the Moon.

You can view video footage and see more remarkable pictures of the Sun being “eaten” by the Moon and the extraordinary “diamond ring” effect at Nasa - Total Solar Eclipse August 1st 2008

Or, you can read more on the BBC News website

New Moon: 1st August
First Quarter: 8th August
Full Moon: 16th August
Last Quarter: 23rd August