Three Astronomical Events Not To Be Missed This Month

Dwarf planet Pluto is most visible in July.

 

This July includes a number of astronomical events that will satisfy your need for watching the stars on a warm summer night. Dwarf planet Pluto is particularly easy to see this time of year, along with other planets, as well as an impressive meteor shower.

This month is also ideal for chasing Aurora Australis, commonly known as the southern lights, since daytime hours are shorter for those vacationing in the southern hemisphere.

So mark your calendars for any of these astronomical phenomena in July to make the most of the month's stellar offerings.

Moon and Saturn, July 6-7

On the evening of Thursday, July 6th, astronomy enthusiasts will be able to fit both the Moon and Saturn into a single field of view while using binoculars. According to the astronomy software SkySafari, the ringed planet will look as a yellow dot slightly higher than the moon. As dawn approaches on July 7, you may see them rise over the southern hemisphere and remain in a tight cluster throughout the night.

The 22nd of July marks Pluto's opposition

On the night of July 21–22, tilt your telescope upwards to get an excellent look at Pluto, a tiny planet that is just half the breadth of the U.S., based on NASA's reports. At this time, the small planet will be most brightest and most easily seen since it will be in conjunction to the sun, as it will appear as a very dim star, even through a telescope, because of its tiny size and its considerable distance from us. If you're having problems identifying Pluto in the Capricornus constellation, consider using a stargazing app.

The Delta Aquarids, July 29-30

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower, which spans from July 12 to August 23 and culminates on the night of July 29/30, may produce as many as 20 meteors per hour. The increased brightness of the moon this year will cause fewer meteors to be seen. However, if you go to a place with a dark sky, you may be able to see a few shooting stars. According to scientists, comets Marsden and Kracht are the presumed origin of these meteors.

 

Source: travelandleisure.com