What's Up In The Sky Now?

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The evening sky continues to be missing a lot of the planets this month but if you can do the early morning look-see and the weather is kind, there are some great planetary conjunctions happening this month.

MERCURY is at its lowest point in the sky and you will have to catch it early in the month because by the middle of the July Mercury moves to the far side of the Sun and transits back to the night sky.

VENUS is the brightest of the planets in the morning sky and rises about 4:00 am. In July Venus passes through Taurus, Orion and on to Gemini. The disk of Venus continues to grow in size as the month goes on.

EARTH is the easiest of the planets to locate this month. No matter what time of the day you look, it is right below your feet.

MARS is clearing the horizon much earlier this month and reaches opposition this month. Its apparent size has increased and surface features will be much easier to see. Hopefully no dust storms are raging this month.

JUPITER is still moving eastward but comes to a halt late in July. Clearing the horizon just after midnight, The best viewing time will still be in the early morning hours when Jupiter climbs high above the trees.

SATURN is the speedy one this month rising just after midnight and is rapidly approaching its stopping point. It is becoming brighter and its apparent size has doubled from last month.

URANUS is hanging out in Aries in the early morning sky. Very dim at the best of times, it is chasing Mars and rises less than an hour after the Red Planet. Look for Uranus in between Mars and Venus but closer to Mars.

NEPTUNE can be located in Pisces and has increased its magnitude slightly this month. Also clearing the horizon just after midnight it is in close proximity to Jupiter. The off-white color should stand out.

• First Quarter, July 16
• Full Moon, July 13
• Last Quarter, July 20
• New Moon, July  28