This Week’s Night Sky

Every Monday, I curate the celestial highlights of the northern hemisphere (mid-northern latitudes) for the upcoming week. However, make sure to visit my main feed for more comprehensive articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses, and other related topics.

The Night Sky This Week: July 10-16, 2023

Although the skies are currently as dark as they can get, true darkness is scarce in the northern hemisphere during July. Fortunately, this week offers an excellent opportunity to explore the solar system, with the waning moon and a delightful combination of planets creating a series of picturesque conjunctions and celestial scenes.

Monday, July 10: Last Quarter Moon

Tonight, our natural satellite reaches its Last Quarter phase, rising after midnight and leaving the evening night sky devoid of its reflected light.

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 12 and 13: Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge is a fascinating phenomenon where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the grid pattern of Manhattan’s skyscrapers. This occurs twice in May and twice in July each year. If you happen to be in town, make sure to look west on July 12 at 8:20 p.m. and on July 13 at 8:21 p.m. (EDT). Before you do so, refer to the comprehensive guide on the website of the
American Museum of Natural History to determine the best location for viewing.

Thursday, July 13: Crescent Moon and The Pleiades

In the early morning hours, a super-slim crescent moon, only 18% illuminated, will showcase a phenomenon known as “Earthlight.” Look towards the east a couple of hours before sunrise to see this breathtaking sight. The moon will be accompanied by the Pleiades open cluster positioned 2º above it, while Jupiter will shine to the upper right.

Friday, July 14: Mercury Rising

This evening, you can catch a glimpse of the “Swift Planet” in the west-northwest. However, make sure to look low on the horizon during twilight before it disappears from sight. Binoculars may come in handy for spotting Mercury.

Saturday, July 15: The Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms

In the early morning hours, before sunrise, a beautiful 5.5%-illuminated crescent moon, often referred to as “The Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms,” will grace the eastern-northeastern sky. Keep an eye out for the bright star Capella positioned to its upper left and the Pleiades and Jupiter to its upper right.

Sunday, July 16: Venus and Regulus

After dark, in the western sky, you’ll witness bright Venus, gradually sinking lower in the summer sky. It will be less than 2º away from Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, located approximately 79 light-years from our solar system.

Object Of The Week: Noctilucent Clouds

If you are an avid stargazer residing at 50º North or further from the equator, July may not be the most favorable month for stargazing due to the lack of true darkness. However, there is a silver lining. With the Sun never descending more than approximately 6º below the horizon, its light interacts with the upper atmosphere, resulting in the illumination of noctilucent clouds. These ethereal-looking clouds, also known as night-shining clouds or space clouds, form when water droplets and dust freeze together as ice crystals. They exhibit a ghostly appearance and are visible as delicate tendrils during twilight. July is the peak time for observing noctilucent clouds, so before retiring for the night, make sure to take a look towards the northern and northeastern sky.

The times and dates provided are applicable to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums such as Follow Google News

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