Discover the Milky Way, “shooting stars” and a rare stellar eclipse: July’s night sky

The month of July is full of celestial events for stargazers, from the breathtaking view of the Milky Way in the first week to a magnificent crescent moon illuminating the western horizon and a rare occultation of the star Spica by the moon. Don’t miss the “Thunder Moon” rising on July 20-21 and the Delta Aquariids meteor shower on July 31.

Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy in July.

1. The Milky Way

When: first week of July

Where: Southeast

July and August are the best months of the year to view the Milky Way from the Northern Hemisphere. Many people know this, but they don't realize that you need to choose a 10-day window during those two months when the moon is down AND be away from light pollution to get a good view after sunset. That's the first week of July. The Milky Way will be brightest in the southeastern sky.

2. A beautiful crescent moon

When: After sunset Saturday, July 6 through Tuesday, July 9

Where: Above the western horizon

Look west for four successive nights to see a beautiful crescent moon, becoming slightly plumper each evening as it moves further from the sun in its orbit around Earth. Viewing on Saturday July 6 will be tricky since the moon will only be 1% illuminated, requiring binoculars, patience and a low view of the horizon. After that it gets a lot easier, with a chance on Sunday July 7 to see Mercury right overhead. From Sunday to Tuesday, you will also see “Earthshine” or “Planet-Shine” on the dark side of the Moon: sunlight reflected from Earth's oceans and ice caps returns to the lunar surface.

3. Spica occulted by the Moon

When: Saturday July 13-Sunday July 14

Where: southwest evening sky, only from North and Central America

One of the brightest stars in the summer night sky, Spica in Virgo, will be occulted (eclipsed) by the moon in one of the rarest celestial events of 2024 for North America and America central. According to In-The-Sky.org, Spica will be obscured by a first quarter Moon (appearing half-lit when viewed from Earth) between 9:40 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 13 and 12:58 a.m. EDT on Sunday, July 14. Here is the schedule:

• Disappearance only: Eastern US states (11:30 p.m. EDT, weak in the Southwest).
• Full Blackout: Midwestern States (10:00 p.m. CDT)
• Respawn only: Northwestern US states (9:00 p.m. MDT).

4. A full “storm moon” rises

When: Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21.

Where: eastern horizon

The seventh full moon of 2024 and the second of the Northern Hemisphere summer will be 100% sunlit on Sunday, July 21. However, since the time the full moon is seen rising is when it is closest to the horizon, there are two successive evenings this month to look out to the east, preferably with any pair of binoculars for a fabulous close-up.

5. The Moon meets the “Red Planet”

When: Tuesday July 23 to Wednesday July 24

Where: West

For two successive nights, a notable Moon-Planet conjunction will be visible in the west just as night falls. On Tuesday, you'll see a waning gibbous moon with Saturn to the lower left, while on Wednesday, a slightly smaller moon will hang to the lower left of the “ringed planet.” Seen from parts of Asia and Africa, the Moon will occult (block) Saturn for a few hours on Wednesday.

6. Delta Aquarids meteor shower

When: Wednesday July 31

Where: the whole sky

Expect to see between 10 and 20 “shooting stars” in the dark, moonless night sky from midnight to 2 a.m. as the Delta Aquarids meteor shower reaches its peak. It runs from July 18 to August 21 each year and is caused by dust and debris left in the inner solar system by the 96P/Machholz complex, a comet cluster that causes a handful of different meteor showers. People in the southern states of the United States will likely have the best luck.

The times and dates listed are for mid-latitudes in the northern hemisphere. For the most accurate information about a specific location, check online planetariums such as SkySafari Pro, Stellarium And The sky live. Check planet rise/planet set, SunriseAnd moonrise/moonset times to see where you are.

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I wish you clear skies and wide eyes.