The summer solstice on 21 June marked the official beginning of summer, and from this moment on, nights are getting slightly longer each night. A long-awaited moment for astronomers and stargazers!
The change is subtle at first but by the middle of the month the sky already feels different. The Summer Triangle climbs higher, the Milky Way becomes more tempting, and the richer parts of our galaxy begin to rise over the southern horizon.
Here is what to look for in the July night sky.
The first part of July still carries the atmosphere of the solstice, with long evenings and real astronomical darkness starting only around midnight.
One of the most interesting events arrives early, on 4 July, when Mars passes close to Uranus in the morning sky, just before dawn. Mars will be easy to recognise by its reddish colour, while Uranus will need binoculars or a small telescope: a lovely challenge for early risers with a clear eastern horizon.
The Moon reaches Last Quarter on 7 July, rising late and leaving the evening sky relatively dark. This makes the first part of the month a good time to start looking for the summer Milky Way, especially from rural locations in the Éislek, where it can still be visible to the naked eye.
To find it, start with the Summer Triangle in the east, formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair. This large and easy-to-recognise asterism is one of the best guides to the July sky: the Milky Way cuts right through it!
The best observing window of the month comes around the New Moon on 14 July, when lunar glare disappears and the sky reaches its darkest point.
If the weather cooperates, these are the nights to leave the town behind and head towards darker places, especially in the north of Luxembourg. Under a good rural sky, the summer Milky Way becomes visible as a pale, uneven band crossing the sky.
The richest part lies low in the south, towards Sagittarius and Scorpius. From Luxembourg, this region never climbs very high, so a clear southern horizon is essential.
This middle part of July is the month at its best: warm air, darkness and a sky full of stars and nebulae that reveal the structure of our own galaxy.
After 21 July, the Moon returns to the evening sky with First Quarter, gently brightening the nights until the Full Moon arrives on 29 July. Traditionally known as the Buck Moon, its name is linked to the time of year when young male deer begin growing their antlers.
For photographers, a July Full Moon rising over Luxembourg’s fields, forests or village rooftops can become a beautiful composition, especially when caught low above the horizon.
The end of the month also brings back the Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower, which peaks around 29-30 July, joined by the quieter Alpha Capricornids. While the Full Moon will wash out many of the fainter meteors this year, it’s still worth looking up if the night is clear.
Saturn also begins its return, rising in the east late at night and becoming easier to observe before dawn as the weeks pass. Its best season is still ahead, but July marks the start of its comeback as one of the most rewarding planets for small telescopes.
July is a month that rewards planning and patience. Unlike winter skies, it requires some time to settle and show its treasures. But that is also what makes these nights so enjoyable: it is warm enough to stay outside without rushing, to listen to the quiet around and watch the stars appear one by one.
Moon Phases: New Moon on 14 July; First Quarter on 21 July; Full Moon on 29 July
Main Constellations: Cygnus, Lyra, Aquila, Hercules, Sagittarius and Scorpius
Seasonal Highlight: Summer Milky Way, best seen after midnight
Meteor Showers: Southern Delta Aquariids peaks around 29-30 July
