Wednesday, July 05, 2023
Southern Skywatch July 2023 edition is now out!
Similar views will be seen from the rest of Australia at the equivalent local time (90 minutes before sunrise).
The July edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.
The planetary action is now returning to the evening skies, Venus and Mars remain prominent and bright in the evening skies. Mercury returns to the evening twilight later in the month and will offer good viewing opportunities. Saturn climbs higher in the late evening sky, while Jupiter dominates the morning sky.
July 1-7; Venus is closest to Mars on the 1st and remains within 4° for the first week of July. July 3; Full Moon. July 5; Moon at perigee. July 6-7; the waning moon near Saturn in the late evening. July 9-12; Venus 1° from the bright star Regulus, being closest on the 10th. July 10; Last Quarter Moon. July 12; the waning Moon close to Jupiter. July 15, Venus, Regulus and Mars make an attractive lineup. July 17; New Moon. July 18, Venus is at its closest to Regulus, when it is 3.5° away. July 20; apogee Moon. July 21; A nice line-up of Venus, Regulus, Mars and the crescent Moon with Mercury below. July 26; First Quarter Moon. July 28-28; Mercury is very close the Regulus (less than a finger-width). July 30; Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower.
Mercury returns to the evening sky mid-month and is (just) visible in the nautical twilight from around the 15th. On the 19th Mercury is near the thin crescent Moon. On the 27th and 28th Mercury passes below Venus. From the 28th to 29th Mercury is very close to Regulus..
Venus begins to sink in the evening sky this month but remains visible after astronomical twilight for most of the month. Venus also increases in brilliance and reaches its greatest brilliance on the 8th. When it is a clear crescent being one quarter illuminated. Although it fades slightly after this as its crescent thins and increases in size. it will remain bright for the rest of the month (what’s -4.5 to -4.2) between friends. Venus is a clear crescent shape in telescopes as it’s apparent size increases.
Venus has been coming close to Mars through June, is closest to Mars on the 1st, when it is 3° 33' away. Venus remains within 4° for the first week of July.
Venus has two notable close encounters this month:
On the 15th Venus, regulus and mars make an attractive line up with Venus and mars almost equidistant from Regulus. Venus is within 5° of Regulus from the 8th to the 26th with the closest approach on the 18th, when it is 3.5° away. On the 21st there is a nice line-up of Venus, Regulus, Mars and the crescent Moon with Mercury below.
Earth is at aphelion, when it is furthest from the Sun on the 7th.
Mars although well past opposition, is still easily visible It passes through Leo. On the 1st, and Venus are at their closest. Mars remains within 4° of Venus for the first week of July, while coming closer to Regulus. From the 9th to 12th Mars is around 1° from Regulus, being closest on the 10th.
On the 15th Venus, Regulus and Mars make an attractive line up with Venus and Mars almost equidistant from Regulus. On the 21st there is a nice line-up of Venus, Regulus, Mars and the crescent Moon with Mercury below. Mars is only 3 degrees from the moon at this time.
Jupiter climbs higher in the morning sky; it is now high enough for telescopic observation. On the 12th Jupiter will be 3 degrees from the waning crescent moon.
Saturn continues to climb higher in the evening skies ahead of opposition next month, it is high enough to view comfortably in the late evening, although it remains in the early morning skies. On the 7th, Saturn is near to the waning moon in the late evening skies.Labels: southern skywatch
Click to read about or order
Click to read about or order
Click to read about or order
Click to read about or order
