Archive · 2 Jul 2025
July Skywatching Guide: Planets, Meteors, and More!
In July, there are many cool things to see in the night sky!
You can spot Mercury, the closest planet to the sun.
The full moon, called the Buck moon, will be bright and detailed.
The moon will also appear near Saturn and Neptune, and near a group of stars called the Pleiades.
You can also try to spot Pluto, which will be closest to Earth this month.
Lastly, there's a meteor shower where you might see shooting stars!
To see these events, it's best to go outside where it's dark and use binoculars or a telescope.
Mercury will be at its greatest eastern elongation on July 4, making it visible after sunset.
The Buck moon, the first full moon of July, will be visible on July 10.
On July 16, the moon will align with Saturn and Neptune.
The crescent moon will pass near the Pleiades star cluster on July 20.
Pluto will be at opposition and closest to Earth on July 25, best viewed with a telescope.
The moon and Mars will have a conjunction on July 29, appearing close in the sky.
The Southern delta Aquariids meteor shower will peak on July 29-30.
- Who
- Skywatchers and anyone interested in observing celestial events.
- What
- Several celestial events, including the visibility of planets, a full moon, alignments, and a meteor shower.
- When
- Throughout July, with specific peak dates for certain events like July 4, July 10, July 16, July 20, July 25, July 29-30.
- Where
- Visible in the night sky, with specific events best viewed from certain locations.
- Why
- To observe and appreciate various astronomical phenomena.
- Mercury Elongation
- July 4
- Buck Moon
- July 10
- Moon, Saturn, Neptune Alignment
- July 16
- Moon and Pleiades
- July 20
- Pluto Opposition
- July 25
- Moon-Mars Conjunction
- July 29
- Southern delta Aquariids peak
- July 29-30