July Night Sky

This month gives a lot of wonderful groupings in the night sky. Venus and Jupiter, 4.8˚ apart, welcome us as we approach the month of July. Midway through the month, the sky offers a perfect photo opportunity for the grouping of Venus, Jupiter, Aldebaran – the red eye of Taurus, the Moon, and the star cluster Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. The grouping of Saturn, Mars, Spica which is the brightest star of the Virgo constellation, and the Moon will also be a delightful scenery at the end of the month.

Planet Saturn is a perfect object for telescope viewing for the whole month. Don’t miss the opportunity of seeing the rings of Saturn.

Jewels in the sky

The month of July offers wonderful and bright groupings in the night sky. No binoculars or telescopes needed, you can view them with your naked eyes!

The month starts with Venus and Jupiter at 4.8˚ apart. Aldebaran and the popular star cluster Pleiades will also join the two to create a pretty alignment in the east before sunrise. Planets don’t twinkle, making them distinct from the stars around them. The brighter and nearer to the horizon is the planet Venus.

Screenshot from Stellarium: July 1, 2012, 3:55AM, Manila, Philippines

In the 15^th of July, Pleiades, Jupiter, Aldebaran, Venus, and the waning crescent Moon appears in the same region in the sky. It’s a perfect sight for those who wake up early in the morning.

Screenshot from Stellarium: July 15, 2012, 4:00AM, Manila, Philippines

The 25^th of July showcases the close encounters of Saturn, Spica, Mars, and the first quarter Moon. They can be found high at the west in the region of Virgo the Maiden at around 8:00 PM. Planet Mars is the reddish bright object and planet Saturn is the yellowish one.  

Screenshot from Stellarium: July 25, 2012, 9:00PM, Manila, Philippines

Moon Phases

Full Moon – July 3

Last Quarter – July 10

New Moon – July 18

First Quarter – July 26