Skywatching Tips for July by NASA: Spot the Celestial 'Eagle'
**July 2022: A Stellar Month for Skywatchers**
Get ready for a celestial spectacle this July, as the night sky offers a dazzling array of planets and constellations for stargazers to marvel at. Here's a guide to help you make the most of the cosmic show.
**Venus and Jupiter: The Brightest Stars Before Dawn**
Venus, the brightest planet, will be shining brightly throughout July, but it's best observed in the early morning hours before dawn, low on the eastern horizon. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, rises an hour before sunrise and appears progressively higher each day. Both planets are best observed in the pre-dawn eastern sky.
**Mercury, Mars, and Saturn: Timings Vary**
Mercury, Mars, and Saturn will also be visible during July, although their specific timings are not yet confirmed. Mars will be visible for the first hour or two after dark, but will appear to sink lower in the sky each day and look dimmer as the month progresses. Saturn rises late in the evening and appears high overhead to the south by dawn. For exact times and locations, consult a current sky chart for July 2022.
**Aquila: The Soaring Eagle**
The constellation Aquila, also known as the eagle, is a must-see during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. To locate Aquila, start by finding the bright star Altair, which is the brightest star in Aquila and forms one corner of the Summer Triangle asterism, along with Vega and Deneb. Aquila resembles an irregular "X" with Altair positioned at the upper-left corner. The constellation's lower-right corner is marked by the star curve that includes Althalimain (Lambda Aquilae), 12 Aquilae, and Eta Scuti (part of the adjacent Scutum constellation).
The second half of July is ideal for observing Aquila because during this time the Moon rises later, allowing darker skies. Aquila soars high into the sky in the first half of the night, making it prominent in the evening. Aquila is rich in interesting sights like the Wild Duck Cluster (M11) near the Scutum Star Cloud, which lies close to its star curve.
**NASA's Monthly Sky Guide and a Helpful Video**
NASA is releasing a monthly sky guide for July, providing detailed information on viewing Aquila and the planets, including helpful images. A video is also available for more details on viewing Aquila and the planets.
July 2022 is a fantastic month for skywatchers, with Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Aquila all gracing the night sky. By focusing on early mornings for Venus and Jupiter and evenings for the Summer Triangle and Aquila, you can enjoy some of the best skywatching opportunities in July 2022. For Mars, Saturn, and Mercury, consulting detailed astronomical charts for that month will provide specific visibility times.
Science enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that NASA's latest monthly sky guide, scheduled for July 2022, includes a detailed plan for viewing Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and the constellation Aquila. This guide, featuring helpful images and a video, highlights an excellent opportunity to explore the wonders of space-and-astronomy through technology, making July a stellar month for skywatchers.
