This July month looks like the time when those who enjoy watching celestial objects at night will have lots of fun. NASA says that observers can expect the rare pre-dawn assembly of the Moon and planets, the periodic return of Comet 10P/Tempel 2, the best views of the Milky Way throughout the year, and the unique chance to observe Saturn’s ring system at its thinnest angle. So if you are a fan of the universe’s beauty, you have to know about the upcoming 6 astronomical phenomena.
The Moon, Mars, and Saturn create a morning trio
The early morning of July 11 and 12 is the perfect time to see a waning crescent Moon near Mars and Saturn. The Moon serves as a great pointer helping to find the two bright planets. Mars will be seen as a red dot and Saturn as a bright object close to Mars. Also, there will be Uranus near these two planets. However, due to its faintness, you will need some binoculars or a telescope.
Comet 10P/Tempel 2 comes back
Around the New Moon on July 14, observers can search for the short-period comet 10P/Tempel 2 using their binoculars or telescopes. The comet passes by the inner solar system approximately once in five and a half years. It will not present a bright spectacle in the sky, but with a dark sky background, you can see it as a tiny foggy spot with a brighter core and short fan-like tail. Your observations will be much better far from the city’s light about an hour after sunset.
July is the best time to watch the milky way
The New Moon of July 14 is also the period when the Milky Way is visible in the best way possible. Due to the absence of the light coming from the Moon, this huge galaxy will be seen as a white cloudy stripe in the sky. Its brightest part shows the area pointing to the center of the Milky Way, where billions of stars are situated behind the clouds of interstellar dust. The absence of artificial lighting will make your observations better.
Find scorpius and sagittarius in the south of the sky
At the end of the evening, it is necessary to look in the southern part of the sky to find the constellation Scorpius, which is easy to identify due to the long tail reminding of the shape of a scorpion. Not far from Scorpius, it is possible to find the constellation of Sagittarius, which is one of the constellations showing the direction to the center of our galaxy. They will serve as a perfect guide to find the brightest part of the galaxy. Dark adaptation of your eyes and the absence of bright screens of electronic devices will make it much easier to see all the stars.
Saturn’s rings appear to be very narrow
The second part of July is the period when you can see the ring system of Saturn using your telescope. The ring system appears very thin due to the very small angle at which it tilts in relation to the observer. Even though the rings are still there, the position of Saturn changes the view of its rings and makes them narrower each year. This phenomenon repeats every 15 years when Saturn finishes almost a 30-year cycle of orbiting around the Sun.
A perfect month for stargazing
From bright planets and a returning comet to stunning galaxy views and changing planetary perspectives, July offers something for every skywatcher. Many of these events can be enjoyed with the naked eye, while binoculars and telescopes reveal even greater detail. Clear skies, patience, and a dark viewing location are often all that’s needed to experience some of the month’s most impressive astronomical highlights.
