Planets
Mercury
Mercury is an evening object, with an elongation of +25o, with a phase of 40% and a diameter of 8 arc sec. It is moderately well placed for observation after sunset, but a clear western horizon is necessary. Its elongation steadily decreases after the 4th, until it passes through inferior conjunction on the 31st.
Venus
Venus remains a prominent morning object, with an elongation decreasing from 42o to 38o by the end of the month. The magnitude remains around -4.0, while the phase increases from 63% to 75% by the end of the month.
Mars
Mars is a very difficult object this month as it is pretty much lost in the twilight. It has a magnitude around +1.6. Its diameter drops below 4.5” by the end of the month. However, it may be found on the 28th as it will be 1.1o South of the crescent Moon.
Jupiter
Jupiter is no longer observable as it reached conjunction with the Sun on the 24th June.
Saturn
Saturn is a morning object with a magnitude of only 0.8, mainly because the rings are still nearly edge on, although they will be tilted to about 3.4o throughout the month. It is now a little higher in the sky and rises around midnight.
Uranus
Uranus is not observable this month.
Neptune
Neptune is not observable this month.
Moon
Phases:
2nd July: Moon is at First Quarter 10th July: Full Moon
18th July: Moon is at last quarter 24th July: New Moon
Sun
The Sun is currently a little less active than one might expect near solar maximum, but do watch out for large Sunspot groups. Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.
Aurora
Aurora may be very hard to see this month as astronomical twilight lasts all night and the northern skies do not get fully dark. Watch out for any exceptional activity though, using one of the many aurora alert apps.
Meteors
The Delta Aquarids begin on the 12th and reach a maximum on the 31st and are favourable this year. The Zenith Hourly Rate (ZHR) is expected to exceed 100, and the radiant is around RA 22hr 44m, Dec -16o.
The Perseids begin from the 17th month with a ZHR of around 80. The radiant can be found near RA 03h 11m, Dec +58o. These are always worth looking for as they often include bright meteors.
Dark Sky Objects
The lighter evenings continue, limiting on deep sky objects, but galaxies in Leo are well placed. Also M51 (Whirlpool) and M101 (Pinwheel) near Ursa Major are particularly well placed for observation and photography. M13 and M92 globular clusters in Hercules are a good target once it gets dark.
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