Astronomical highlights of July 2025
July arrives with the summer sky in all its splendor, offering exceptional conditions for astronomical observation from the Northern Hemisphere. The Milky Way stretches majestically on the darkest nights, and summer constellations such as Cygnus, Lyra, and Sagittarius rise dominantly in the firmament. Below, we review the main celestial phenomena this month has in store for us.
July 2 – First Quarter Moon 🌓
The month begins with the Moon in its first quarter phase, an ideal phase for lunar observation with a telescope, as topographic details—craters, mountain ranges, and seas—are clearly highlighted by the tilt of the sunlight.
July 3 – Earth's Aphelion ☀️
On this day, the Earth reaches aphelion , the farthest point from the Sun in its annual orbit, approximately 152.1 million kilometers away. Although it may seem paradoxical, this event occurs in the middle of the northern hemisphere's summer, reminding us that the seasons are determined by the tilt of the Earth's axis , not by the distance from the Sun.
July 10 – Full Moon 🌕
The July full moon will intensely illuminate the night sky. This phase, although unfavorable for observing deep-sky objects due to lunar brightness, offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the lunar landscape with the naked eye or through astronomical binoculars.
July 16-23 – Planetary conjunctions at dawn 🪐
This week there will be spectacular conjunctions of the Moon with several visible planets :
- July 16 : conjunction with Saturn and Neptune (invisible without a telescope).
- July 20 : The Moon passes close to Uranus.
- July 22 : conjunction with Venus.
- July 23 : conjunction with Jupiter.
These events occur in the late evening hours , before dawn, in an easterly direction. Venus , very bright, and Jupiter , somewhat lower, will be the visual protagonists, while Saturn will be higher and less luminous. Neptune and Uranus will require telescopes for observation.
July 18 – Last Quarter Moon 🌗
The Moon enters its waning phase, ideal for resuming observation of galaxies, clusters, and nebulae, especially on clear nights away from light pollution.
July 24 – New Moon 🌑
The absence of moonlight creates optimal conditions for deep-sky observation and capturing the Milky Way's band in all its detail. A perfect night for astrophotography and visual observers.
July 28 – Conjunction of Mars and the Moon 🔴
After sunset, Mars and the crescent Moon will be visually close together, with an apparent separation of less than two degrees . Although Mars is in a dim phase, its reddish color makes it easily identifiable in the west, just after sunset.
July 31 – Delta Aquariids maximum 🌠
The month concludes with the peak of the Delta Aquariid meteor shower . This moderately intense shower peaks between late July and early August, with no defined peak. The radiant is located in the constellation of Aquarius , and it is best observed from mid- and low latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. The late morning hours are the best time to enjoy the spectacle, especially from dark areas away from the city.
Observation advice:
During July, the days are still long in the Northern Hemisphere. For example, in Madrid, on July 15th, the sun will rise at 6:57 a.m. and set at 9:44 p.m. (peninsular time). Plan your observing sessions around midnight and early morning, when the sky is darkest and the planets begin to rise in the east.
Ready to enjoy the cosmos this summer?
At Astro Telescopes, you'll find the ideal equipment for every type of observation, whether lunar, planetary, or deep-sky. Take advantage of the summer conditions and spectacular events this month to reconnect with the night sky. 🌌🔭