Stargazing: Take a glimpse into the sky during July

Don’t let the hot summer heat fool you, we’re now the farthest away from the sun for the entire year. Earth is about 3 percent farther away from the sun than it was in January. The Northern Hemisphere feels so warm during the summer months because of the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which points the sun’s light more directly at residents of the Northern Hemisphere during this time, despite being farther away.

Moon phases: The moon will at first quarter on July 8, full on July 15, at third quarter on July 23 and new July 30.

Mercury: The best opportunity to see the closest planet to the sun will be during the beginning of the month with the best viewing opportunities about 45 minutes after sunset.

Venus: Some of the last chances to see Venus will occur this month before it disappears in the sun’s glow until late September. It will appear very low in the east-northeast about an hour before sunrise in early July.

Mars: The Red Planet will pass through the constellation Taurus this month, and it will appear to change the color of the constellation’s stars. Mars will rise in the east-northeast before morning twilight begins.

Jupiter: The best sighting will be at the end of the month when the solar system’s biggest planet will appear ten times brighter than any star. The best chance to see Jupiter is a few hours before dawn in the southeastern sky.

Saturn: Saturn’s rings will appear more noticeable later this month as it begins to tilt to Earth’s line of sight. You can find Saturn about a third of the way up the west-southwestern sky. Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, will be visible to the east of the planet July 17 and west of the planet July 9 and 25.

Meteors: The Delta Aquarid meteor shower will peak toward the end of the month with the highest activity expected before dawn July 30 when the new moon will offer ideal viewing conditions. The meteors will appear to come from the Aquarius constellation in the southern sky. During the peak, viewers should be able to see as many as 20 meteors per hour.

SOURCE: IU NEWSROOM