Astronomy Events for July 2021

Best Astronomy Events for July

These July astronomy events are a great way to stay connected with the universe and stargaze or image all month long! If you are looking to get started in astrophotography, July is a perfect month as we are in the peak of Milky Way season. Milky Way season is when the core of the Milky Way rises earlier in the night making it easier to capture!

Here for some imaging target ideas? Keep reading to learn what deep space objects are up in the sky for both hemispheres.

Moon Phases, Planets, and Meteor Showers July 2021

July 4 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation

Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky making this is the best time to view Mercury. It will be low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

July 10 - New Moon

This phase occurs at 01:17 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

July 24 - Full Moon

This full moon was known by some early Native American tribes as the Buck Moon because the male buck deer would begin to grow their new antlers at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon.

July 28, 29 - Delta Aquarius Meteor Shower

You will have the chance to see about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. This year it peaks on the night of July 28 and morning of July 29. Because the Moon will still be nearly full, it might make it hard to see many meteors at once. For the best viewing, find a dark sky site near you and look up after midnight!

Northern Hemisphere Constellations in July 2021

Draco

• Spindle Galaxy (NGC 5866)

• The Tadpole Galaxy (Arp 188)

• The Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543)

• Abell 2218

Hercules

• Globular Cluster Messier 13

• Globular Cluster Messier 92

• NGC 6210

• NGC 6041

• Supermassive Elliptical Galaxy NGC 6166

Corona Borealis

• NGC 6085

• NGC 6086

Serpens

• Messier 5

• The Eagle Nebula (Messier 16)

• The Pillars of Creation

• Hoag’s Object

• Red Square Nebula

Southern Hemisphere Constellations in July 2021

Ophiuchus

• NGC 6240

• The large dark nebulae Barnard 68

• The Dark Horse Nebula

• The Planetary Nebulae NGC 6572

• The Little Ghost Nebula (NGC 6369)

• The Twin Jet Nebula, also known as Minkowski's Butterfly.

• Barnard's Star

• Kepler's Supernova (SN 1604)

Scorpius

• Cat's Paw Nebula (NGC 6334)

• The Butterfly Nebula (NGC 6302)

• The War and Peace Nebula (NGC 6357) sometimes also known as the Lobster Nebula

Norma

• Ant Nebula (Mz 3)

• Fine-Ring Nebula (Shapley 1)

Ara

• NGC 6193

• NGC 6326

• Stingray Nebula

Circinus

• NGC 5823

• Circinus Galaxy (ESO 97-G13)

Triangulum Australe

• NGC 6025

• The colliding pair of galaxies ESO 69-6

• NGC 5979

Apus

• NGC 6101

• IC 4499

• IC 4633

• NGC 6392

Did you know OPT has a library of free resources to help you in the hobby? Check out OPTU for fresh content or leave a comment on what content you'd like to see. Clear skies! 🔭✨