(NEXSTAR) – The first full month of summer arrives bearing several celestial treats for skywatchers.
July will offer a meteor shower, a glimpse of the Buck Moon and a view of the Scorpius constellation, among other sights.
The ‘Swift Planet’
On July 4, there will be an uncommonly good opportunity to get a glimpse of Mercury, the smallest, speediest planet in our solar system.
Named after the Roman god known for his winged feet and swift travel, Mercury is the planet located nearest to the sun, which it flies around every 88 days, according to NASA.
At 12 a.m. CDT on July 4, Mercury will reach its greatest elongation, or the farthest distance from the sun, making it the best time to see it.
To get a glimpse of the “Swift Planet,” EarthSky suggests waiting for the sun to set before looking west for the planet during twilight time.
Buck Moon
Nearly a week after Fourth of July fireworks illuminate the sky, the so-called Buck Moon will rise on July 10.
The name dates back to the Maine Farmers’ Almanac, which assigned “Indian” names to full moons, starting in the 1930s, according to NASA. The names stuck and are still used today.
The Almanac reportedly claimed that members of the northeastern U.S. Algonquin tribes called the July full moon the Buck Moon for the male deer whose antlers start to emerge, encased in velvety fur. The tribes also called it the Thunder Moon because of the regular early summer storms in the region.
Scorpius the Scorpion
For the astrology geeks out there, one of the twelve zodiacal constellations is a familiar sight in the summer night sky – Scorpius, located in the galactic center of the Milky Way.
Depending on the amount of light pollution you’re dealing with, Scorpius has a number of highlights to check off, such as Antares, or the “heart of the scorpion.”
The supergiant star has a reddish hue and can be observed with the naked eye.
Meteor shower begins
Starting July 18, the Southern Delta Aquariid meteors will become active and will potentially be visible until late August.
The Southern Delta Aquariids will reach their peak between July 29 and July 30, according to NASA.
The meteors are faint, so they won’t be visible if the moon is out.
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere and southern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere will have the best odds of a good show.
Here’s what you can do to increase your odds of seeing them, according to NASA:
- Get as far away from city lights as possible and make yourself comfortable.
- Lie on your back so your view encompasses as much of the sky as possible.
- “Looking halfway between the horizon and the zenith, and 45 degrees from the constellation of Aquarius will improve your chances.”
- Be patient, your eyes will take a little while to fully adapt to the dark, and the show will continue until dawn.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate where you live, there will be plenty to enjoy in August when we get a glimpse of Venus and Jupiter side-by-side, the Sturgeon Moon and the Perseid meteor shower.
