The moon is less than a half degree away from Aldebaran, the bright star in Taurus, the bull, as July opens, beginning a series of close approaches. By July 7, Regulus in Leo is about two degrees north of our satellite. Then Jupiter closes to a degree away July 9. Of these three, the first and third are occultations in the Eastern Hemisphere. On the evening of July 14, Mars is a few degrees south. Ditto for Saturn July 15. The moon is full July 19. Neptune is occulted July 22 for viewers in eastern Canada and the United States. Once again, July 29, Aldebaran is occulted in the Southern Hemisphere. For northern viewers, it’s a close encounter.
Mercury has a pair of close approaches this month in the western evening sky — July 16, Venus is less than a degree away, then Regulus is paired up July 30.
Venus reappears from behind the sun about mid-month, just in time for the meeting with Mercury noted above. Venus always puts on a good show as the Evening Star, beaming like a spotlight all through the rest of the summer and into the fall.
Mars is well placed in the southern sky, becoming visible in the late evening and setting around midnight. The nearby moon July 14 may allow viewers to spot Mars in daylight, or even at the beginning of twilight. Test your visual acuity with this opportunity. Of course, binoculars would be a great help.
Jupiter is low in the west, setting near midnight. Watch for the moon close by July 9.
Saturn is in a great position for observing, with the moon sliding by July 15. Did you know Saturn is so far away from us that light takes 75 minutes to travel from there to here?
Uranus rises around midnight, crossing the sky and fading from view with the rising sun.
Neptune appears in the southeast in late evening. Watch for a close pass of the moon July 22, a telescope is a must.
— James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000 and is now the Society’s president, assistant editor and a contributor to the renowned Observer’s Handbook, and production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. He was given the RASC Service Award at the 2012 General Assembly in Edmonton.
