To enjoy the night sky, all you need is curiosity, patience, and good weather. While a telescope or binoculars can help you see fainter objects, the naked eye is enough to learn about stars, constellations, the moon, meteor showers, and satellites. This week, you can observe various celestial events without any equipment.
On Monday, July 15, Mars and Jupiter will be visible before dawn in the constellation Taurus. Jupiter will shine brightly to the left of Aldebaran, a supergiant star known as the “eye of the bull.” Mars will be close to Uranus, but you’ll need binoculars to see the bluish-green planet. The Pleiades star cluster will also be visible to the left of Mars.
The Perseid meteor shower begins on Monday and peaks in August, offering a chance to see up to 50-100 shooting stars. Look for meteors in the northeast sky, where the constellation Perseus rises after dark. The Perseids are known for their brightness and abundance.
Tuesday will provide an opportunity to see an afternoon moon, with about 78% illumination. The moon will rise later each day until it becomes full on Saturday. On Wednesday evening, the moon will be near Antares, a bright reddish star in the Scorpius constellation.
The full Thunder Moon, also known as the Buck Moon or Hay Moon, will be best seen on Saturday as it rises in the southeast. Watching a full moon rise during twilight can enhance the viewing experience. You can check the exact time of moonrise for your location online.
If you’re interested in capturing these celestial events with a camera, check out guides on astrophotography for beginners. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or a beginner, there are plenty of opportunities this week to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. Enjoy exploring the cosmos and keep looking up!
