The July Night Sky

By Olivia O.

07-09-2010

Searching for what might be happening in the July night sky? Here are a few planet and moon viewing opportunities you may want to observe this month:

The evening planets are Mercury (beginning tomorrow, the 10th, and observable through the end of the month), Venus, Mars and Saturn.

The morning star is actually Jupiter, making its appearance in the dawn sky.

A new moon will occur on the 11th, with the next full moon lighting the night on the 25th. A total eclipse of the sun will happen on the 11th, but will not be visible in our hemisphere.

Mercury will be visible in the western sky in the evening, setting around 7:30 pm by the 15th.

Venus is a bright object in the western sky in the early evening hours and up until about 8:30 at night.

Mars is also positioned in the western sky, although not as bright as Venus. It can be spotted near the constellation Leo until the 19th, when it transitions in the constellation Virgo. Mars sets near 10:00 pm.

Saturn can be found in the western sky as well. It is only slightly brighter than Mars and rises at about 9:30 pm. The rings can be seen with a telescope.