Read our July sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!
Map
Constellations
These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.
Pegasus, the Winged Horse, is a large summer constellation that can be seen rising in the east around sunset. It moves across the southern sky, creeping higher as the night goes on. Best views will be just before dawn when it is highest in the sky. Pegasus rises earlier as the month continues, so it will be easier to see in the evening sky towards the end of the month when it gets higher earlier. Look for the bright stars that make up the centre of the constellation, the Great Square of Pegasus.
Aquarius, the Water Carrier, rises in the south east a little after midnight, moving across the low southern sky during the night. Best views will be just before dawn when it reaches the south and its highest point in the sky. Aquarius rises earlier later in the month, so can be seen in the evening easier at this time.
Hercules‘ distinctive spider-like shape is well placed this month, almost directly above at the zenith when the sun sets. It sets towards the west during the night and disappears at dawn, so best views will be just after sunset. The stars that make up Hercules are relatively faint, but being close to the Milky Way means this constellation contains many clusters and nebulae.
Planets
Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen this month. It will be at greatest eastern elongation on the 4th, and aphelion on the 14th. These effects will not be visually apparent.
Venus is very close to the Sun this month, so can only be seen immediately before sunrise on the north eastern horizon. It will be very low once the sunlight drowns it out, so you will need a clear horizon to see it. Venus will be in conjunction with Uranus on the 4th, and with the Moon on the 21st.
Mars will not be easy to see this month, as it only appears shortly after sunset on the western horizon. As the month goes on it gets closer to the Sun, setting sooner after sunset. Therefore it can only realistically be seen at the beginning of the month, when it is higher in the sky and sets later. Mars will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 28th.
Jupiter is very close to Venus this month, so will be difficult to see. It rises shortly after, and can be seen a little below and to the north of it. That means it will be very low on the north eastern horizon for a short time before dawn, disappearing when the Sun rises.
Saturn rises in the east during the night and climbs towards the south, before disappearing there at sunrise. Best views will be just before dawn when it is at its highest point. Saturn rises earlier later in the month, which allows it to be seen easier in the evening sky and reach a higher point before dawn. It enters retrograde motion on the 13th, and will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 16th.
Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It can be seen in the morning sky, as it rises in the north east in the early hours. Best views will be just before dawn, when it reaches its highest point in the east. Uranus rises earlier as the month goes on, so will be easier to see later in the month. It will be in conjunction with Venus on the 4th.
Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It stays incredibly close to Saturn this month, following the same path in the sky. Neptune enters retrograde motion on the 4th.
Meteor Showers
The Southern δ-Aquariids reach their peak on the 30th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Aquarius. Meteors will be visible between 22:30 and 04:39 BST and best displays are likely to be just before dawn, as Aquarius’ highest point is in the early morning. You will be able to see up to 9 meteors per hour.
Moon
First Quarter: 2nd
Full Moon: 10th
Last Quarter: 18th
New Moon: 24th
The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 20th and apogee, its furthest point on the 5th. This effect is not visually apparent.
The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 10th and perihelion, its closest point, on the 25th. This effect is not visually apparent.
The Moon will have a close approach with the Pleiades (Messier 45) on the 20th. They can be seen between 00:35 and 03:58 BST in the constellation of Taurus. You can see them with the naked eye or binoculars, but they are too far apart to be seen together in a telescope.
Points of Interest
The open cluster IC 4756 is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 2nd. It lies in the constellation of Serpens and reaches its highest point in the sky at 01:03 BST, but can be seen all night. You will need binoculars to see this.
The Earth will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 3rd.
Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.
Last updated: 17th April 2025.