The skies this week are a celebration of summer. It begins with the moon brushing past Antares, the heart of Scorpius, then crescendos with July's full Thunder Moon rising on Thursday. Saturn reclaims its place in the evening sky midweek, and by the weekend, the Summer Triangle anchors itself overhead — a sparkling signpost of the season. Whether you're moon gazing, planet watching, or just taking in the stars, there's something for everyone under this week's night sky.
Here's what to watch for this week.
Clear skies,
Daisy
Reference Editor, Space.com
(Starry Night)
Monday, July 7 — Bright Moon Follows Antares (overnight)
Look south after sunset to see the waxing gibbous moon chasing Antares, the red heart of Scorpius. The two will set together around 2:30 a.m. local time. For some southern observers, the moon will actually pass in front of Antares earlier in the day — a striking occultation.
Saturn rises before midnight this week for mid-northern latitudes, marking its return to evening visibility. Look southeast after dark to catch the creamy-yellow ringed planet climbing the sky below Pegasus. It's just getting started in its long reign through the summer and fall.
The July full moon rises opposite the setting sun, reaching peak fullness at 4:37 p.m. EDT (2037 GMT). Known as the Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, and more, it shines bright in Sagittarius or Capricornus. Its low path across the sky makes for a long, golden moonrise.
Vega, Deneb, and Altair form the iconic Summer Triangle, high in the east after sunset. These three stars span light-years — from nearby Altair to far-flung Deneb — and will guide your gaze toward the Milky Way once moonlight fades.
This month's full moon, the Buck Moon or Thunder Moon, rises on July 10, lighting up the night in grand midsummer fashion. It's a perfect time for moonrise photography or a quiet evening under bright moonlight. Unlike waxing or waning phases, the full moon casts no shadows — the face is fully lit, revealing the subtle contrasts of lunar terrain by albedo alone.
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