July 1998

by Steve Stefanik

The planet Neptune is the first planet in a long line to arc across the nightime summer sky followed closely by the planet Uranus. Begin looking eastward around 10:00 p.m. for the +7.8 magnitude blue orb among the stars of the constellation Capricorn with a pair of binoculars. Uranus rises about 45 minutes later but is much easier to spot at magnitude +5.7. You may not even need binoculars to see this considerably greener object because very few stars or planets for that matter are green. Neptune reaches opposition later in the month on the 23rd when it will be as bright as it ever gets.

Jupiter is the next planet to rise on these July summer nights, just before midnight. Look for the Jovian giant of a planet above the eastern horizon around midnight. It will be easily recognizable as its -2.6 magnitude will outshine the relatively dim 3rd and 4th magnitude stars of of the constellation Pisces the fish. Its always a welcome sight as are its four Gaillean moons which bring hours or pleasurable viewing through binoculars or even a small telescope.

Saturn is the planet that follows Jupiter in order along the ecliptic but it is twice as far away from us so its significantly smaller and dimmer at magnitude +0.4. Look for it low in the southeastern sky about 35 degrees east of Jupiter among the dim stars of Aries the ram.

About two hours before sunrise look for the ever brilliant -3.9 magnitude planet Venus in the constellation Taurus the bull near its brightest star Albebaran and the Hyades open star cluster.

By month’s end, the planet Mars returns to the sky after its lenghty absence. You might try spotting it low above the eastern horizon near a waning crescent moon on the morning of the 21st. Look for the +1.6 magnitude red-orange planet about 8 degrees lower and to the left of Venus. On the last day of the month it will be about 3 degrees from Venus in the constellation Gemini.