This week (July 22-28), there’s a lot you can see with just the naked eye, from the close approach of Saturn and the Moon to the Delta Aquarids meteor shower in the south and great views of the Northern Crown.
This week, we’ll show you what you can see in the night sky without any equipment — all you need to enjoy it is curiosity, patience, and good weather.
Related: The brightest planets in July’s night sky: How (and when) to see them
This week’s stargazing goals Monday, July 22 — Mercury (after sunset)
After sunset on the evening of Monday, July 22, Mercury (orbit shown in red) will be at its farthest point east from the Sun, at 26.9 degrees east, making it the planet most visible during its current appearance. (Image courtesy of Chris Vaughn/Starry Night)
Since Mercury Sun Earth
If you look west just after sunset, you will see a red dot just above the horizon. It is about 14 degrees from the sun. size Venus
Tuesday, July 23 — Bright Moon shining alongside Saturn (nighttime)
In the continental Americas, late on the night of Tuesday, July 23, as the bright waning half Moon rises in the east, Saturn’s yellow dot will shine to its lower left (10 degrees from the celestial east), about the diameter of a fist. (Image courtesy of Chris Vaughn/Starry Night)
The moon will rise around midnight local time and appear in the southeast sky. Saturn
Wednesday, July 24 — Bright Moon obscures Saturn (all night) Because the Moon is relatively close to Earth, its position in relation to the background stars and planets will vary depending on where you are. Tonight, in North America and Europe, the waning half Moon will approach Saturn again, rising just after midnight. But from its path through Asia and Africa, the Moon will appear to obscure Saturn, making it invisible for several hours.
Thursday, July 25 – Venus, Mercury, Regulus (after sunset)
Venus, Mercury and Regulus can be seen in the western sky just after sunset. (Image courtesy of Jose A. Bernat Bacete/Getty Images)
If you look to the west-northwest just after sunset, you’ll see Venus at magnitude +3.9 sinking below the horizon, but higher in the sky than on Monday. High in the sky a little to the left will be Mercury, and above it Regulus at magnitude +1.4. Mercury will shine at a relatively bright magnitude +0.6, sinking into the Sun’s glare over the next few nights as Venus rises.
Friday, July 26th — Northern Crown (night)
The Northern Crown shining in the spring sky (Image credit: Alan Dyer/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images)
This week, Northern Crown Arcturus Vega
Related: A rare nova ignites a “new star” in the sky this year
Saturday, July 27th – Waning Crescent Moon (nighttime)
The Moon will complete three-quarters of its revolution around the Earth at 2:52 a.m. GMT on Sunday, July 28, or 10:52 p.m. EDT or 7:52 p.m. PDT on Saturday, July 28, measured from the date of the last new moon. (Image courtesy of Chris Vaughn/Starry Night)
Look east-northeast at midnight and you’ll see a waning half moon rising. full moon New Moon
Sunday, July 28 — Delta Aquarids meteor shower peak (nighttime)
Meteor showers are a great place to observe the night sky for anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of something special. (Image by zhengshun tang via Getty Images)
There’s always some debate about when the annual Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower peaks. It’s active from mid-July to late August, but the peak is broad, so there’s no specific night to stay up late and keep your eyes peeled for. If you watch from midnight tonight through Tuesday, July 30, you’ll likely see some meteors. shooting star Aquarius
Want to capture these events on camera? Check out our guide. Astrophotography for Beginners The best cameras for astrophotography The best lenses for astrophotography
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Editor’s note: If you have a great astronomy photo you’d like to share with Space.com readers, send it to spacephotos@space.com with your photo, comments, name and location.
