July Night Sky Guide: Best Constellations and Stars to Spot
Don’t miss out! Here are 10 constellations best visible on July evenings. Whether you use our Star Walk 2 app’s augmented reality sky map or a classic star chart, here’s your go-to sky guide for July stargazing.
Contents
- Introduction
- Bright July Constellations
- Faint July constellations
- Pro tips for astronomical observations
- Bottom Line: Best July constellations and stars
Introduction
Welcome to our monthly series on the best constellations to observe! We have organized the 88 officially recognized constellations into twelve groups, one for each month, based on when they’re best seen in the sky.
A constellation is considered “best visible” during the month in which it crosses the local meridian at around 9 p.m. In other words, this is the month in which the constellation reaches its highest point in the sky (culmination) at around 9 p.m. local time.
However, this does not mean these constellations disappear outside their peak month; they simply appear lower on the horizon.
Observation Time
- We provide observing instructions for about 9 p.m.-10 p.m. local time.
Visibility
- Constellation positions depend on your latitude and the time of night. In each section below, you will find a “Visible From” note listing the latitude range where the constellation pattern can be seen entirely.
Finding Tools
- Interactive sky map: Download the free Star Walk 2 app.
- Manual spotting: Follow our step-by-step instructions using prominent star patterns.
Brightness Ratings
- ☆☆☆: Very bright, visible to the naked eye.
- ☆☆: Moderately bright, easy to find with clear skies.
- ☆: Faint; binoculars recommended.
Now, let’s dive into July’s top constellations, listed from the brightest to the faintest.
Bright July Constellations
Scorpius
- Brightness: ☆☆☆
- Visible from: 40°N to 90°S
- Brightest star: Antares (mag 1.0)
- Best deep-sky objects: Butterfly Cluster (mag 4.2), Ptolemy Cluster (mag 3.3)
How to find Scorpius in the July night sky
Scorpius is one of the easiest zodiac constellations to identify. Its stars form a clear pattern resembling the letter "J" (or a hook), representing a scorpion with a curved tail.
From the Northern Hemisphere, face south and look low on the horizon for the bright red star Antares. This is the “scorpion’s heart”. From there, trace a J-shaped curve of stars to see the tail.
Note: If you are north of 40° N (for example, in France, Germany, the UK, or Canada), part of Scorpius remains below your horizon.
From the Southern Hemisphere, face south, as soon as the sky is completely dark. Look high overhead for ruby red Antares and follow the J-shape from Antares to map the body and tail.
The Milky Way runs through Scorpius, making this view even better!
Since Scorpius lies along the ecliptic, the Moon, Sun, and planets sometimes pass through it; on July 7, 2025, the 90%-illuminated Moon will pass very near Antares — an event you can easily observe with the naked eye or binoculars — and in Western Australia, South Africa, and Namibia it will even occult (briefly cover) Antares.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, Scorpius was a giant scorpion sent by Gaia to punish Orion. Orion had boasted that no creature could escape his hunt and that he would kill every animal. To stop him, Gaia sent Scorpius to sting and kill Orion.
So Orion and Scorpius became mortal enemies — Zeus even placed them on opposite sides of the sky so they never met each other. That’s why, according to mythology, these two constellations never appear in the sky at the same time. When Scorpius rises, Orion has already set below the horizon, and vice versa.
Triangulum Australe
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible from: 15°N to 90°S
- Brightest star: Atria (mag 1.9)
- Best deep-sky object: NGC 6025 (mag 5.1)
How to find Triangulum Australe in the July night sky
Triangulum Australe (sometimes also called the Southern Triangle) lies close to the south celestial pole. From many southern locations, it is circumpolar — meaning it never sets below the horizon.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Triangulum Australe is challenging to see. Observers must be near the equator, for example, in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, or southern Colombia and Venezuela, to see the constellation entirely. From these locations, it will appear low on the southern horizon — look for a small, equilateral triangle.
In the Southern Hemisphere, spotting Triangulum Australe is much easier. Face south, and look roughly halfway between the horizon and the bright red star Antares in Scorpius. The small triangle shape is distinct, and just to its west is Alpha Centauri — the third-brightest star in the sky.
Mythology
Triangulum Australe has no association with any ancient myth. It is the smallest of 12 constellations created by Dutch navigators Frederick de Houtman and Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser in the late 16th century.
Ophiuchus
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible from: 80°N to 80°S
- Brightest star: Rasalhague (mag 2.1)
- Best deep-sky object: Gumball Cluster (mag 7.6)
How to find Ophiuchus in the July night sky
Ophiuchus is a faint, large constellation along the celestial equator. Because its stars are rather dim, choose a clear, dark night with little or no moonlight.
In the Northern Hemisphere, face south at dusk and locate Antares, the bright red heart of Scorpius. Draw an imaginary line upward, slightly east of Antares, to bluish bright Vega; halfway along is Ophiuchus.
In the Southern Hemisphere, face north after dark. First, spot Scorpius, which sits high overhead. Its notable features are red Antares and a distinctive hook-like shape. Look directly beneath it to find Ophiuchus.
Mythology
Ophiuchus, which means "serpent-bearer" in Ancient Greek, is depicted on celestial maps holding Serpens, a separate constellation. According to one Greek myth, Ophiuchus represents Asclepius, the legendary physician. Asclepius crafted a potion by blending serpent venom, the blood of a Gorgon, and a secret herb. This potion granted mortals temporary immortality. Alarmed by Asclepius's newfound power over life and death, Hades appealed to Zeus, who then cast Asclepius into the sky and forbade any further use of the potion.
Incidentally, Ophiuchus is one of the 13 constellations of the ecliptic. The Babylonians omitted it from the zodiac, which is why there are only 12 zodiac signs. Technically, some of you might be Ophiuchus instead of Scorpio. What other discrepancies exist between zodiac signs and ecliptic constellations? Check out our infographic to find out!
Draco
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible from: 90°N to 15°S
- Brightest star: Eltanin (mag 2.2)
- Best deep-sky objects: Cat's Eye Nebula (mag 8.2), Spindle Galaxy (mag 9.9)
How to find Draco in the July night sky
Draco is a circumpolar constellation at mid-northern latitudes, looping around Polaris, the North Star. Because it never sets, you can spot it on any clear night of the year.
To locate Draco, first find the Big Dipper and draw an imaginary line down from the end of its handle to find the Little Dipper. Between them is located the Dragon’s tail, where Thuban shines — a star that was the pole star around 3000 BCE. If you know the Summer Triangle, draw an imaginary line from Altair through Vega; between those points lie Rastaban and Eltanin, the two stars that mark Draco’s eyes.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the constellation Draco is visible from locations near the celestial equator, such as parts of Indonesia, Peru, and Brazil. After dark, observers in these locations can see part of the constellation's pattern just above the northern horizon.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, Draco represents Ladon, the dragon that guarded the golden apple tree in the garden of the Hesperides. The tree was a wedding gift from Hera to Zeus. Ladon wrapped his coils around the tree to prevent anyone from stealing its fruit.
As one of his twelve labors, Heracles fought Ladon and defeated him with poisoned arrows to claim the golden apples. To honor the dragon’s devotion, Hera placed Ladon’s image among the stars. In star charts, Draco is often shown coiled around the celestial north pole, with one of Heracles’s feet pressing on its head.
Hercules
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible from: 90°N to 50°S
- Brightest star: Beta Herculis (mag 2.8)
- Best deep-sky objects: M13 (mag 5.8), M92 (mag 6.4)
How to find Hercules in the July night sky
Hercules occupies a region between the bright stars Vega and Arcturus.
On a clear summer evening in the Northern Hemisphere, face north and look high overhead. First spot Vega, a bluish-white dot in the sky. Then shift your gaze slightly west to find Arcturus, an orange-red giant. Draw an imaginary line between these two stars — this line intersects the Keystone, a distinctive four-star square that marks Hercules’s torso. If you have already located Draco, you will see Hercules just above it.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Hercules hovers just above the northern horizon. After dark, find Vega and follow the same westward line to the Keystone square.
Mythology
Originally known as “The Kneeling Man” in Ptolemy’s Almagest (2nd century AD), the figure later took on the name Heracles (Latinized Hercules) to honor the Greek hero. According to legend, Heracles was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. As an infant, he inexplicably gained immortality by nursing on Hera’s divine milk — an act that stirred the queen’s wrath.
Driven mad by Hera, Heracles tragically killed his own children. To atone, he consulted the Oracle at Delphi and was ordered to serve King Eurystheus for twelve years. This period became famous for the Twelve Labors, including slaying the Nemean Lion and defeating Ladon, who represents the constellation Draco. After his final trial, Heracles built his own pyre, ending his mortal life. In recognition of his trials and heroism, Zeus placed him among the stars as the constellation Hercules.
Faint July constellations
Ara
- Brightness: ☆
- Visible from: 25°N to 90°S
- Brightest star: Beta Arae (mag 2.8)
- Best deep-sky object: NGC 6200 (mag 7.4), NGC 6193 (mag 5.2)
Corona Borealis
- Brightness: ☆
- Visible from: 90°N to 50°S
- Brightest star: Alphecca (mag 2.2)
- Best deep-sky object: NGC 6086 (mag 12.7)
Serpens
- Brightness: ☆
- Visible from: 80°N to 80°S
- Brightest star: Unukalhai (mag 2.6)
- Best deep-sky objects: Eagle Nebula (mag 6.4), M5 (mag 6.7)
Apus
- Brightness: ☆
- Visible from: 5°N to 90°S
- Brightest star: Alpha Apodis (mag 3.8)
- Best deep-sky object: NGC 6101 (mag 9)
Norma
- Brightness: ☆
- Visible from: 30°N to 90°S
- Brightest star: Gamma² Normae (mag 4.0)
- Best deep-sky object: NGC 6087 (mag 5.4)
Pro tips for astronomical observations
- Best time: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. local for darkest skies. In the Northern Hemisphere, where it’s summer, full darkness arrives later. In the Southern Hemisphere, during the southern winter, the sky becomes dark enough earlier.
- Moon phase: Aim for the new or crescent Moon phase to spot fainter stars.
- Learn more: For all the astronomical events happening in July 2025, check our July Night Sky Guide. Learn how to identify the most famous stars — Polaris, Sirius, Arcturus, and many others — with our infographic.
Bottom Line: Best July constellations and stars
The nights in July offer a perfect blend of bright and faint constellations. From the fiery heart of Scorpius and the winding coils of Draco to the heroic figure of Hercules and the majestic Ophiuchus, each constellation arcs across the sky bearing its own myth and magic. Plan your observation session for moonless nights around 10 p.m., and use the free Star Walk 2 app for easy navigation in the stars.
