ORLANDO, Fla. – The summer months are often the best time for stargazing. The warm air and clear summer skies provide perfect conditions to see some of the galaxy’s greatest wonders.
According to Live Science, summer is the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere in all of its breathtaking beauty due to its higher positioning in the sky. The summertime also brings new constellations to the forefront of our galaxy.
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Here are some of the wonders of the night sky to be on the lookout for throughout the month of July, according to NASA’s Skywatching Tips.
To learn more about what to look for in the night sky in July and in future months, visit NASA’s skywatching website.
Monthlong star clusters
The intricate, winding form of the constellation Scorpius, complemented with the star Antares, is a distinct feature of the night sky around the world this time of year. At the tip of the scorpion’s “tail” are two different star clusters, known as the Butterfly Cluster (M6) and Ptolemy’s Cluster (M7), that have ideal visibility during this season.
Throughout the whole month, there will be two apparent star clusters that are easy to spot in the constellation Scorpius. They will reach their highest point in the sky around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. and can be located about five degrees east of the bright stars that mark the “stinger” of the end of the scorpion’s tail.
Both are known as “open star clusters.” This means that they are loose groupings of stars that formed together in the same region of space. However, they are only loosely bound together by gravity, so they will eventually go their separate ways into the endless chasm of the night sky.
July’s lunar phases
There will be a new moon on July 5, which provide the best stargazing conditions, according to Live Science. Moonless nights provide prime viewing conditions so the twinkling of the stars will not be obscured by the rays of moonlight.
There will then be a full moon on July 21. This is the perfect time to see the moon perfectly illuminated from the Earth’s perspective.
The first quarter moon will occur on July 13. The last quarter moon will be the final major lunar phase during July and will take place on July 27.
Visit NASA’s Daily Moon Guide for an interactive map and viewing tips for observing the moon on each day of the year.
Planet viewing
On July 2 and 3, the moon, in its crescent phase, will draw close to Jupiter and Mars in the east right before sunrise. If you look just before the sky starts to brighten with the warm, timid touches of dawn, you will also be able to see the Pleiades star cluster right above Jupiter, with the bright stars Capella and Aldebaran close by.
Those with an unobstructed view of the wester horizon will be able to spot Mercury shining brightly on July 7 and 8, around 30 minutes after the sun sets. The planet will reside low in the sky next to the moon, which will be in a slim crescent shape.
For the initial hours after dark on the night of July 13, if you look to the southwest, you will find the first-quarter moon residing close to the bright star Spica. The moon will actually appear to cross in front of this bluish-white star and undergo an event called occultation.
In the early mornings of July 14-16, right before the sky starts to brighten with a rosy glow, you can look closely at Mars with binoculars and see the distant planet Uranus quite close by.
Near the end of the month, on July 30, you will be able to see a close gathering of Jupiter, Mars and the moon, tucked close with the bright constellation Taurus in the morning sky right before the dawn.
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