Half of the year 2017 had past and we’re moving towards a new month full of wonders and challenges. Wondering what’s going to be up at the sky for the approaching month? The following is a list of astronomical events for July 2017.
July 1, 2017: Close Approach of the Moon and Jupiter, First Quarter Moon
The Moon and planet Jupiter would appear close to each other (around 2°33’ angular separation) at the sky when viewed from Earth. These celestial objects will be seen relatively high in the southeastern portion of the sky in the constellation of Virgo just after sunset at around 7:15PM until it sets between 12AM-1AM of the next day. The moon will be at the First Quarter Stage (Half Moon). Spica, the alpha star of Virgo, will also be seen near these celestial objects. Jupiter would look like a “bright white star” that doesn’t twinkle.
July 7, 2017: Close Approach of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and planet Saturn would appear close to each other (around 3°13’ angular separation) at the sky when viewed from Earth. These celestial objects will be observed at the southeastern portion of the sky in the constellation of Ophiuchus as the dusk fades at around 7:30PM, reach its highest point over the southern horizon at 10:47PM until it sets at the southwestern horizon at around 3:30AM of the next day. The moon will be at the Waxing Gibbous phase (about 99% illuminated). Antares, the bright reddish-orange star in Scorpio, will also be seen near these celestial objects.
July 9, 2017: Full Moon
Situated on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, the moon will be fully illuminated (100%) on this day. For selenophiles (individuals who love the moon), this is the best time to observe all the surface features of this celestial object, including the craters and maria. It will start appearing at around 7:30PM, and can be seen throughout the night until sunrise positioned in the constellation of Sagittarius. Because of its full illumination during this phase, it won’t be a good time for deep-sky observation with the entire moonlight glaring out most of the faint celestial objects.
July 21, 2017: Venus-Waning Crescent Moon Close Approach
The Moon and planet Venus will be in close approach; would appear relatively close to each other when viewed from Earth. These celestial objects will be observed at the east sky coordinate in the constellation of Taurus as it rises from 3:30AM until the sun completely at 5:45AM. The moon will be at the Waning Crescent phase (about 15% illuminated). Aldebaran, the bright reddish-orange star in Taurus will also be seen near these celestial objects.
July 23, 2017: New Moon
On this day, the moon will not be visible as it will be situated at the same side of the Earth as the Sun, in the constellation of Cancer. With no moonlight glaring much of the night sky, this is the best time to observe the deep sky objects throughout the night. It is predicted that the lunar phase will occur on this day. However, the month transition from Shawwāl to Dhū al-Qa‘dah shall take place two days later (June 25) in accordance to the Hijri Calendar.
July 29, 2017: Close Approach of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and planet Jupiter would appear close to each other (around 2°57’ angular separation) at the sky when viewed from Earth. These celestial objects will be seen at the southwestern portion of the sky in the constellation of Virgo just after sunset at around 7:10PM until it sets at around 10:30PM of the same day. The moon will be at the Waxing Crescent Stage (about 40% illuminated). Spica, the alpha star of Virgo, will also be seen near these celestial objects. Jupiter would look like a “bright white star” that doesn’t twinkle.
July 29 -30, 2017: Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower
On the late evening hours of July 29 until sunrise of July 30, 2017, the peak of an average meteor shower known as the Southern Delta Aquariids will take place. It is projected to bring up to 20 meteors per hour under favorable dark sky conditions. These meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can be witnessed anywhere in the sky. The space debris from the comets Marsden and Kracht entering Earth are the ones responsible for this meteor shower. A must have in observing this astronomical phenomenon is patience; lots of them.