Observing Highlights for July, 2007

Highlight: Venus and Saturn are dramatically close above the western horizon at sunset the weekend of June 30-July 1st. On Saturday and Sunday nights the two planets will be observable within the same field of view in a low power eyepiece (30 mm or greater). This planetary conjunction will bring the two planets within less than a degree of each other during the weekend. The two will separate quickly but still be within less than 2 degrees of each other on July 3rd. Venus and Saturn are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart, but this apparition is due to our line of sight across the solar system. Watch the western horizon at dusk July 15-17 as the Moon’s apparent motion moves it eastward past Saturn, then Venus and the star Regulus which will be separated by about 2 degrees at mid-month.

Monday, 2 July. Middle day of 2007. The second half of the year begins today.

Friday, 6 July. Earth at aphelion, furthest distance from the Sun for the year.

Saturday, 7 July. Last quarter Moon. “Lucky Stars” star party, New Albany, IN (see events above)

Monday, 9 July. Moon 5 degrees  northeast (upper left) of Mars. Look to the east southeast before dawn.

Thursday, 12 July. Venus at greatest brilliancy, magnitude -4.7

Saturday, 14 July. New Moon. Watch for the thin crescent Moon on the 15th and 16th to the west at dusk.

Wednesday, 18 July-Saturday, 28 July. Morning apparition of Mercury. Go out a half hour before sunrise with binoculars and look for Mercury about 10 degrees above the east-northeast horizon. Greatest western elongation is July 20

Sunday, 22 July. First quarter Moon.

Tuesday 24 July-Tuesday 31 July. Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower. Minor shower.

Sunday, 29 July. Full Moon

Observing Highlights for July are presented courtesy of Celestial Products. Celestial Products publishes and distributes popular reference materials, calendars, charts, note cards, and gifts designed to stimulate understanding of our universe. Order by telephone at 1-800-235-3783 (from outside the U.S./Canada: 540-338-4040). Celestial Products, a Universe of Wonder Right Here on Earth!