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8 night sky events to see in July, from a ‘buck moon‘ to a rare view of Pluto
One of the closest and brightest globular clusters visible from Earth, M22 contains hundreds of thousands of stars packed into a tight, elliptical shape about 10,000 light-years away. Photograph by John Chumack, Science Photo Library
Get your binoculars ready for dark skies, elusive planets, and a sky show spanning the entire month.
Stargazers, get ready to take in some awe-inspiring sights. This month offers a parade of star clusters, meteors, and various planet sightings, including the difficult-to-spot dwarf planet Pluto. Here's what to look for in the July night sky. A globular cluster in prime view—July 1
The globular cluster Messier 22 (M22) reaches its highest point in the sky around midnight local time, specifically for observers south of 46° N latitude, since M22's position favors the Southern Hemisphere.
Located about 10,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius, M22 is one of the brightest globular clusters visible from Earth. Under dark skies, M22 appears as a faint smudge with the naked eye. But binoculars or a small telescope reveal its stunning structure—a densely packed sphere of hundreds of thousands of stars.
Mercury is notoriously difficult to see from Earth, thanks to its proximity to the Sun. But on July 4, Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation, meaning the planet will be at its farthest apparent distance from the Sun in the evening sky. This event marks one of the best chances to see the elusive planet this year.
Look west-northwest just after sunset, keeping your gaze close to the horizon. Mercury should be visible during the evening twilight hours. If it's cloudy, don't worry—you'll still be able to see Mercury for a few more weeks. The 'buck moon'—July 10 The full 'buck moon,' named for the time of year when male deer begin regrowing their antlers, rises behind the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion on July 20, 2024. Photograph by Costas Baltas/Anadolu, Getty Images
Nicknamed the 'buck moon,' July's full moon occurs on the 10th. The moniker, drawn from Indigenous and colonial traditions in North America and popularized by the Farmer's Almanac, refers to the time of year when male deer, or bucks, begin to regrow their antlers. (Yes, they shed them annually.)
(Learn the origins of the many names given to each full moon.)
If you have a pair of binoculars, take a close look at the lunar surface. The bright rays radiating from Tycho crater and the dark basalt plains known as maria, the Latin word for 'seas,' are especially striking during a full moon.
In the predawn hours of July 16, skywatchers can catch a triple encounter: the waning gibbous moon will sweep past Saturn and Neptune in the constellation Pisces.
Saturn, the brighter of the two, is visible to the naked eye. Neptune, far dimmer, requires a telescope. Just three days prior, Saturn will have entered retrograde motion, appearing to move west across the sky rather than east. A partial lunar eclipse unfolds beneath the Pleiades star cluster in November 2021. Photograph by Alan Dyer/VW Pics, Getty Images Crescent moon near the Pleiades star cluster—July 20
Before sunrise on July 20, the crescent moon will pass within a degree of the Pleiades, a bright open cluster also known as the Seven Sisters or Messier 45 (M45). Though home to more than 1,000 young, hot stars, most people can spot just six with the naked eye.
(These are the best stargazing sites in North America.)
The Pleiades shine brightest from November to March, but determined stargazers can spot them in late July, too. Their pairing with the moon on July 20 creates a picturesque scene, especially when viewed through binoculars, which frame the glittering stars and glowing crescent in the same field of view.
On July 25, Pluto will lie directly opposite the Sun from Earth's perspective. Simultaneously, it will also reach perigee, its closest distance to Earth in its orbit. Although still nearly three billion miles away, it will shine slightly brighter than usual—making this the best chance to view the dwarf planet this year.
(Did Pluto ever actually stop being a planet? Experts debate.)
That said, Pluto remains a faint speck, even at its best. You'll need a reasonably powerful telescope and a detailed star chart to locate it in the constellation Sagittarius around midnight local time. Moon and Mars conjunction—July 29
On the evening of July 29, the moon will pass close to Mars in the constellation Taurus. Visibility may be limited in some locations, as the pair will appear low on the horizon and could be washed out by sunlight.
If skies are clear, look for the waxing crescent moon and Mars's distinctive reddish glow.
The Southern delta Aquariids meteor shower, active from July 18 to August 12, is expected to peak overnight from July 29 to 30. This year, the waning crescent moon will set early during the peak, leaving skies dark for optimal meteor viewing.
(Here are nine must-see night sky events to look forward to in 2025.)
Southern delta Aquariids meteors tend to be faint, and you might not see more than a dozen or two shooting stars per hour at most. For a more dramatic display, wait for August, when the delta Aquariids overlap with the brighter Perseids.
