July skies

June 25, 2026

Key points from this story:

• Moon phases throughout July
• Planetary positions and visibility
• Occultations in Southern Hemisphere
• Delta Aquariid meteors peak
• James Edgar's astronomy background
• Viewing tips for evening stars

The Moon has just passed full phase among the stars of Sagittarius, the Archer, as the month begins. The next event is on the 10th, when the Moon is among the stars of the Pleiades, in Taurus, the Bull. On the 11th, Mars and Uranus join with the Moon's waning sliver for a photo op, but you have to up very late or very early-2:00 a.m.! By the 13th, the Moon is at perigee of 359,112 km. New Moon occurs on the following day, and the Beehive Cluster (M44) provides a backdrop on July 15. The 16th sees Regulus 0.5 degrees north of the Moon, and the 17th has Venus 2 degrees north of the thin sliver of a 3-day-old Moon. First quarter occurs on the 21st. On the 24th, Antares is 0.6 degrees north. These two close approaches, first Regulus, then Antares, are occultations in the Southern Hemisphere. On the 25th, the Moon is at apogee of 405,548 km. Full Moon is on the 29th.

Mercury is too close to the Sun for viewing, and even when the speedy planet does become visible in the east, it's just before sunrise and only for a fleeting few minutes.

Venus keeps on pleasing as the Evening Star, gradually getting closer to the horizon with each passing day. The bright planet hasn't reached greatest elongation yet, but the ecliptic governs the viewing angle. The thin, waxing crescent Moon passes by on the 17th.

Mars in the east among the stars of Taurus, the Bull, gains further separation from the Sun, making it easier to spot. Blue-green Uranus shares the spotlight on the 4th, a mere 7 arcminutes away from the Red Planet. See if you can glimpse the two planets with strikingly different colours-a telescope is likely needed. On the 11th, you can see Mars, Aldebaran, the Hyades, Uranus, and the crescent Moon near the Pleiades, all grouped together.

Jupiter is too close to the Sun for viewing.

Saturn rises around midnight in Pisces, the Fish. It appears stationary against the starry backdrop on the 27th, then it begins retrograde motion for the next four months-giving the best opportunity for late-night viewing. The last-quarter Moon glides by on the 7th.

Uranus gains elevation away from the Sun in the eastern morning sky. Watch for the close conjunction with Mars on the 4th.

Neptune continues to dog Saturn, rising an hour ahead of the Ringed Planet, shortly before midnight. The distant blue planet begins retrograde motion on the 9th.

On July 29, the south delta Aquariid meteors peak in the early morning.