July 10 – Full “Buck Moon”

The Buck Moon rises on the evening of July 10 and will shine all night.
- Moonrise (Glastonbury, CT): ~8:45 PM EDT
- Named for the season when male deer begin growing new antlers
- Viewing Tip: Catch it rising just after sunset for dramatic photos on the horizon

☄️ Meteor Showers – Double Peak Late July

Southern Delta Aquariids

- Peak: July 29–30
- Rate: Up to 20 meteors per hour
- Best Time: Midnight to 4 AM
- Radiant: Near Aquarius in the southern sky
- Moon: Near new, so skies will be dark for ideal viewing

Alpha Capricornids

- Peak: July 30–31
- Rate: ~5 meteors per hour
- Bonus: Known for slow, bright fireballs that can appear anywhere in the sky

Best Nights: July 29–31 — when both showers are active under dark, moonless skies

🪐 Planets on Display in July

This month offers excellent views of four major planets, each visible at different times of the night:

Saturn
- Rises: Just after midnight, high by 2 AM
- Best Viewed: With a telescope — Saturn’s rings are wide open this year
- Where to Look: In the southeast, near the constellation Aquarius

Jupiter
- Rises: Around 3 AM
- Visible: In the east before sunrise
- What to See: Bright and unmistakable; use binoculars to spot the four Galilean moons

Venus
- Visible: Low in the eastern sky during dawn twilight
- Time: Best between 4:30 AM and sunrise
- Appearance: Dazzlingly bright — the “morning star”

Mars
- Low on Horizon: Just before dawn, in the constellation Gemini
- Appearance: Faint but visible with binoculars or a small telescope
- Tip: On July 6, Mars and Venus will appear close together in the pre-dawn sky

🌑 July 24 – New Moon = Deep Sky Window

With no moonlight, this is the best night of the month for observing faint deep-sky objects.

Recommended Targets:
- M13 (Hercules Cluster): Bright globular cluster, visible in binoculars
- M57 (Ring Nebula): Faint smoke-ring in Lyra, needs a telescope
- M31 (Andromeda Galaxy): Rising late in the northeast, visible to the naked eye
- The Milky Way: Arcing across the southern sky after midnight

Where to Go: Look for locations with little light pollution — such as rural fields, state forests, or coastal overlooks facing south

📅 Key Skywatching Dates

- July 6 – Venus and Mars conjunction at dawn
- July 10 – Full Buck Moon
- July 24 – New Moon (ideal for deep-sky viewing)
- July 29–31 – Peak meteor showers (Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids)

🔭 Tips for Skywatching Success

- Timing: Midnight to dawn offers the best views of meteors, planets, and deep sky objects
- What to Bring: Blanket or chair, red flashlight, star chart or app, binoculars or telescope, bug spray
- Avoid: Streetlights and phone screens — let your eyes adjust to darkness for 20+ minutes
- Check the weather: A clear forecast with low humidity means the best visibility