2nd – New Moon, Total Solar Eclipse
July will start off as strong as June did! On only the second day of the month, we will have a total solar eclipse. Most of South America will be able to see at least a partial eclipse. Check Time and Date to see if you’re in the path!
3rd – Moon with Mars and Mercury
Astronomers call the sliver after a new moon a young moon. July’s young moon will be hanging out with Mars and Mercury in the constellation Cancer.
4th – Earth at Aphelion
The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle, it’s an ellipse. This means that at some point, it must be at it’s furthest point from the Sun. That is in July! Aphelion is when a planet is farthest from it’s sun. This won’t affect our life at all, it’s just a neat fact.
9th – First Quarter, Saturn at Opposition
On July 9th, the Moon will be in it’s first quarter phase. This means that the left half will be dark and the right half will be light.
In addition, Saturn will be at opposition. This means that Earth will be directly between Saturn and the Sun.
13th – Moon with Jupiter
Jupiter and the Moon will be together in the constellation Scorpius in the Southern sky.
15th – Moon with Saturn
Saturn will be just East of the nearly full moon. They will be together in the constellation Sagittarius in the Southern Sky.
16th – Full Moon, Partial Lunar Eclipse
Most of the world (not including North America) will be able to see the Partial Lunar Eclipse! Check Time and Date to see if you’re in the path. If, like me, you are not in the path, enjoy the bright, beautiful full moon.
20th – Moon with Neptune
The Moon will be with Neptune in the constellation Aquarius in the Eastern night sky.
24th – Last Quarter, Moon and Uranus
On the 24th, the Moon will be in it’s last quarter with Uranus. They will be in Aries.
28th – Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peaks
From midnight to dawn, and especially at 2 a.m., we will be able to see meteors originating from Aquarius. The moon will be a dark crescent, so the meteors will be easier to see. It is more visible from the Southern hemisphere than from the Northern Hemisphere.
31st – New Moon
Finally, on the last day of the month, we will end the same way we began: with a new moon.
Happy July viewing!
madison brewer 