Prepare for a month full of celestial wonders! In July, Mercury transitions within the sky, Venus and Mars dance carefully, and comets attain perihelion and perigee. Don’t miss the supermoon, many conjunctions, asteroid 15 Eunomia and Pluto at opposition, three meteor showers, and different breathtaking occasions. Seize your telescope and put together for a blinding present within the night time sky all through the month of July.
Would you prefer to be notified of stargazing occasions?
The month of July begins with three astronomical occasions on the primary day of the month. To begin with, Mercury will likely be at superior photo voltaic conjunction. Though not simple to look at as a result of proximity to the Solar, it is a crucial occasion as a result of it marks the transition from Mercury’s look within the morning sky to the night sky. Maintain your eyes secure and by no means level a telescope or binoculars instantly on the Solar. On the similar time Mercury will attain apogee (most distant from Earth) as a result of it is going to be on the actual level reverse to Earth, on the opposite facet of the Photo voltaic System. It’ll attain a most distance of 1.33 AU from Earth and will likely be situated within the constellation of Gemini.
On the identical day, there will likely be a shut method of Venus and Mars, also referred to as an appulse. The 2 planets will cross inside 3°33′ of one another within the constellation of Leo. Venus will likely be at obvious magnitude -4.5 and Mars will likely be at 1.7.
Additionally on the first of July, comet C/2023 E1 (ATLAS) will attain perihelion. This implies the comet will make its closest method to the Solar at a distance of 1.03 AU. Search for it within the constellation of Ursa Minor with a big telescope. The British Astronomical Association Comet Section (BAA) estimates that it might be at round obvious magnitude 10.
Then on July 3, there will likely be a supermoon. The Moon will likely be close to its closest method to Earth and so will look barely bigger and brighter than typical. Will probably be the primary of 4 supermoons in 2023. The total moon will happen at 11:40 UTC making it the brightest time of the supermoon. It is called the Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, or Hay Moon, relying on the tradition.
On July 6, there will likely be a conjunction of the Moon and Saturn. The 2 celestial our bodies will share the identical proper ascension and cross inside 2°40′ of one another within the constellation of Aquarius. At virtually the identical time, the 2 objects will even make a detailed method, generally known as an appulse. This implies they’ll get even nearer to one another (at 2°25′ of one another) however now not sharing the identical proper ascension. The Moon will likely be at obvious magnitude -12.5, and Saturn at 0.6.
Afterward July 7, asteroid 15 Eunomia will likely be at opposition. No matter the place on the earth you might be, the asteroid will attain the best publish within the sky at round midnight native time, as a result of it is going to be precisely reverse to the Solar. To look at it throughout completely different hours, look within the constellation of Sagittarius. Eunomia will cross inside 1.679 AU of Earth, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 8.8. You’ll need binoculars or perhaps a telescope to look at it. Eunomia is a really giant asteroid (round 270 km in diameter) within the internal asteroid belt and the most important of the stony (S-type) asteroids. It was found by Annibale de Gasparis in 1851, and named after Eunomia, a minor goddess of order and legislation in Greek mythology.
On July 9, Venus will attain its best brightness. Will probably be shining brightly at obvious magnitude -4.5, seen to the bare eye. Search for the planet within the constellation of Leo.
Then on July 10, the July Pegasid meteor bathe will peak. It’s a weak meteor bathe with solely about 3 meteors per hour on common through the peak and given perfect circumstances. The meteors will enter the ambiance very quick at a pace of about 64 km/s. Some meteors may additionally be noticed between July 4 and Jul 17. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Pegasus.
On July 11, there will likely be a conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter. The 2 celestial our bodies will share the identical proper ascension and cross inside 2°13′ of one another. At across the similar time they will even make a detailed method (appulse) and get only a bit nearer to one another (however now not sharing the identical proper ascension) at 2°03′ of one another. The Moon will likely be at obvious magnitude -11.3, and Jupiter -2.3. Search for each objects within the constellation of Aries.
On July 12, the comet 185P/Petriew will attain perihelion, that means it should attain the closest level to the Solar, at a distance of 0.93 AU. The BAA estimates the brightness of this comet will likely be about magnitude 11. Search for it within the constellation of Taurus.
On July 19, there will likely be a conjunction of the Moon and Mercury. The 2 objects will share the identical proper ascension and cross inside 3°30 of one another within the constellation of Most cancers. The Moon will likely be at obvious magnitude -8.5, and Mercury at -0.4. The pair will likely be very near the Solar and so be very cautious when making daytime observations to not level your telescope or binoculars instantly on the Solar. This can lead to rapid and everlasting blindness. The pair will likely be too broadly separated to suit throughout the area of view of a telescope anyway, so why trouble attempting in any respect? Maintain your eyes secure and as an alternative give attention to the planets Venus and Mars, that are additionally close by, ready for their very own conjunctions within the subsequent couple of days. You possibly can admire this celestial gathering of three planets and the Moon with the bare eye.
Then on July 20, there will likely be a conjunction of the Moon and Venus. The Moon would have moved nearer to Venus since the day before today. (Mars and Mercury are nonetheless close by.) The Moon and Venus will share the identical proper ascension and cross inside 7°51′ of one another, each within the constellation of Leo. The Moon will likely be at obvious magnitude -9.5, and Venus at -4.4.
On the identical day, the comet C/2021 T4 (Lemmon) will attain perigee, that means it is going to be at its closest level to the Earth at a distance of of 0.54 AU, and also will be at peak brightness with an obvious magnitude of 9 in line with an estimate by the BAA. This is the reason it’s the perfect time to look at this comet. With it being an extended interval comet, it received’t be again close to the Earth for thousands and thousands of years. So don’t miss your probability! Search for it within the constellation of Telescopium.
On July 21, there will likely be a conjunction of the Moon and Mars. The pair will share the identical proper ascension and cross inside 3°16′ of one another within the constellation of Leo. At across the similar time, the 2 celestial our bodies will get even nearer and make a detailed method (appulse), passing inside 2°57′ of one another. The Moon will likely be at obvious magnitude -10.0, and Mars at 1.8. The planets Mars and Mercury are nonetheless lingering close by.
On July 22, Pluto will likely be at opposition. The dwarf planet will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time as a result of it is going to be precisely reverse to the Solar within the sky. At about the identical time, Pluto will even attain perigee, the closest level to the Earth, at 33.80 AU from Earth. It’s at the moment that Pluto will likely be brightest within the sky. Regardless of this, you will have a telescope to identify this dwarf planet as a result of it should have an obvious magnitude of solely 14.9. You could find it within the constellation of Capricornus.
On July 26, there will likely be a conjunction of Venus and Mercury. The 2 planets will share the identical proper ascension and cross inside 5°17′ of one another within the constellation of Leo. Venus will likely be at obvious magnitude -4.3 and Mercury at -0.1. Mars nonetheless lingers close by and so you may observe all three planets collectively, however not one of the planets will match collectively in a single area of view of a telescope sadly. It’s nonetheless an important sight to the bare eye although!
Then on July 27, Mercury will attain highest altitude in night sky. This implies Mercury will attain its highest level within the night time sky above the horizon for July-August, making it a superb time to look at the elusive planet. It’ll have an obvious magnitude of 0.3. Look within the constellation of Leo.
On July 28, the Piscis Austrinid meteor bathe will peak. It’s a small meteor bathe with solely about 5 meteors per hour on common through the peak assuming perfect circumstances. Some meteors will even be seen between July 15 and August 10. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Piscis Austrinus. Sadly the Moon will likely be very shiny and can intrude considerably with commentary.
On July 30, the Southern δ-Aquariid meteor bathe will peak. The meteor bathe is way bigger with a mean of 25 meteors per hour through the peak if circumstances are perfect. Some meteors will also be noticed between July 12 and August 23. They’ll enter the ambiance at a pace of round 41 km/s. Viewers from the Southern Hemisphere can have a greater present with an even bigger share of the meteors, however some can nonetheless be seen from the Northern Hemisphere. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon will nonetheless be very shiny and sadly intrude with commentary, however a minimum of with a bigger variety of meteors, many needs to be shiny sufficient to nonetheless be seen, particularly within the Southern Hemisphere.
On the identical day, the α-Capricornid meteor bathe will peak. One other smaller meteor bathe, the alpha Capricornids will likely be seen between July 03 and August 15. In the course of the peak there will likely be a mean of 5 meteors per hour so long as circumstances are perfect. They’ll seem to radiate from the constellation of Capricornus. They originate from the comet 169P/NEAT and they’re going to enter the ambiance at round 23 km/s.
And eventually, on July 31, the comet C/2021 T4 (Lemmon) will attain perihelion (closest method to the Solar) at a distance of 1.48 AU. I already talked about this comet earlier when it reached perigee on July 20, and now it reaches a brand new milestone in its path throughout the internal Photo voltaic System. Look within the constellation of Norma. The BAA estimates its brightness to be round obvious magnitude 9, so you will have a telescope to identify it.
Moon Phases in July 2023
As you understand, the Moon has a huge impact on the visibility of celestial our bodies within the night time sky. So listed here are the Moon’s phases for this month:
Positions of the Planets in July 2023
Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar may be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Gemini. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the night time sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
Venus: The sister planet may be seen close to Mercury travelling throughout the constellation of Leo. Similar to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
Mars: The crimson planet may be seen within the constellation of Leo.
Jupiter: The fuel large is seen within the constellation of Aries. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
Saturn: The ringed large may be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
Uranus: The fuel large may be seen within the constellation of Aries with the usage of a telescope.
Neptune: The blue large requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces so as to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Giant Asteroids in July 2023
Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet may be seen within the constellation of Virgo with the assistance of a telescope.
Vesta: This massive asteroid may be seen within the constellation of Taurus with a telescope.
Pallas: The asteroid may be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Leo.
Pluto: This distant dwarf planet may be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a big telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month
- August 8 – η-Eridanids meteor bathe peak.
- August 10 – Asteroid 10 Hygiea at opposition.
- August 13 – Perseid meteor bathe peak.
- August 18 – κ-Cygnid meteor bathe peak.
- August 26 – Asteroid 8 Flora at opposition.
- August 27 – Saturn at opposition.
- August 31 – Aurigids meteor bathe peak.
Conclusion
July is shaping as much as be a spectacular month for stargazers and astronomy fanatics alike. With a plethora of celestial occasions, from planetary conjunctions and meteor showers to comets reaching perihelion and perigee, the night time sky guarantees to dazzle and delight. Among the many highlights is Pluto in addition to asteroid 15 Eunomia at opposition. As we put together our telescopes and binoculars, allow us to immerse ourselves in the fantastic thing about the cosmos and be reminded of the grandeur and marvel of the universe that surrounds us. Benefit from the celestial spectacle that July brings, and should it encourage us to proceed exploring and marveling on the mysteries of house. Completely happy stargazing!
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