Astronomical Events in July 2026: What to See in the Night Sky This Month
What’s up in the sky in July 2026? This month brings plenty of beautiful astronomical events: bright planets near the Moon, dark skies for Milky Way hunting, and late-July meteor activity. Whether you observe with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope, there will be something worth looking up for.
In this guide, you’ll find the best sky events of July 2026, a complete astronomical events calendar, Moon phases, visible planets, meteor showers, constellations, and deep-sky objects. To check what’s visible from your location on any night, use the Sky Tonight app.
Contents
- July 2026 Night Sky Highlights
- Astronomical events calendar: July 2026
- Moon events in July 2026
- Planets in July 2026
- Shooting stars in July 2026: double meteor shower & more
- Best constellations to see in July 2026
- Deep-sky objects in July 2026
Sky Events in July 2026: FAQ
- What is the best astronomical event in July 2026?
- What planets are visible in July 2026?
- When is the Full Moon in July 2026?
- When is the New Moon in July 2026?
- Are there any meteor showers in July 2026?
- What is the best time to see the Milky Way in July 2026?
- What constellations can I see in July 2026?
- Other astronomy-related events in July 2026
- Astronomical Events in July 2026: Bottom Line
July 2026 Night Sky Highlights
Here are the month’s best astronomical events to mark on your calendar:
- July 5 — Mars and Uranus between the Pleiades and Hyades: Mars and Uranus will appear close together between two famous star clusters, creating a beautiful target for binoculars, telescopes, and long-exposure photos.
- July 9 — Venus near Regulus: The dazzling evening planet Venus will pass less than a degree from Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.
- July 11 — The Moon near Mars and the Pleiades: A thin lunar crescent will join Mars and the Pleiades in the morning sky, making a rare and photogenic scene.
- July 22, morning — Mars lines up with Aldebaran and Elnath: Mars will form a long straight line with two bright stars in Taurus.
- July 22, evening — Venus midway between Regulus and Denebola: Venus will sit roughly midway between Leo’s two bright stars, forming a wide triangle visible to the naked eye.
- July 29 — Full Buck Moon: July’s Full Moon will rise around sunset and shine all night in the constellation Capricornus.
- July 30-31 — Double meteor shower: The Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids will peak on the same night, offering observers — especially in the Southern Hemisphere — a chance to catch meteors from two showers at once.
Astronomical events calendar: July 2026
Here are the main astronomical events of July 2026. Please note that the calendar dates are based on when each event occurs in GMT, so the date may differ for your location. To make sure you don’t miss anything, check the calendar in the Sky Tonight app — it automatically adjusts dates and times to your location.
The Visibility column shows how easy each event is to observe:
- 🟢 Good — easy to spot under normal conditions
- 🟡 Moderate — visible, but may require some experience or optical aid
- 🔴 Poor — difficult to observe because of poor viewing conditions
- ⚫ Not visible — the event can’t be observed visually
Click the linked events to open separate guides with more details.
Moon events in July 2026
Let’s take a look at what will happen with the Moon in July 2026.
Moon phases in July 2026
- Last Quarter: July 7, 19:29 GMT
- New Moon: July 14, 09:43 GMT
- First Quarter: July 21, 11:06 GMT
- Full Moon: July 29, 14:36 GMT
| Date | Moon phase | Moon visibility |
|---|---|---|
| July 7 | Last Quarter | Best seen in the morning. The bright dot nearby will most likely be Saturn. Through a telescope, you can see details of the lunar surface along the terminator line. |
| July 14 | New Moon | The Moon itself won’t be visible, but it’s a great time to observe fainter objects, such as deep-sky objects and the Milky Way. |
| July 21 | First Quarter | Best seen in the evening. The star Spica will be nearby. Through a telescope, look along the terminator line for the Lunar X and V — short-lived light-and-shadow patterns on the Moon’s surface. |
| July 29 | Full Moon | The Moon rises around sunset and stays in the sky until dawn. It’s easy to see with the naked eye, but too bright to be comfortably observed through optics. |
To find the exact moonrise and moonset times for your location on any date and plan your observations with ease, check out our dedicated lunar calendar.
July 14: New Moon — the darkest sky of the month
The New Moon will occur on July 14. The Moon itself won’t be visible at this time, but while it’s absent, you’ll get a better chance to see faint objects that moonlight can wash out — for example, dim stars, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. You might also catch some sporadic meteors or lingering activity after the peak of the July Pegasids. But most importantly, the New Moon is perfect for viewing the broad band of the Milky Way: July is prime time for observing it. The best night will be the night of the New Moon itself, as well as a couple of days before and after. Choose a location far from city lights and keep your fingers crossed for clear weather.
Learn more: Milky Way: How to Find, See, and Photograph It
July 21: First Quarter Moon — time to see the Lunar X and V
On July 21, the Moon will reach its First Quarter phase. This is one of the best times to observe the lunar surface: the terminator — the line between lunar day and night — cuts across the Moon’s disk, making mountains, craters, and ridges stand out in sharp relief. Around this phase, you may also spot the famous Lunar X and Lunar V — short-lived patterns of light and shadow that appear when sunlight hits the rims of certain craters at just the right angle.
In July 2026, the Lunar X and V will start to appear around 20:00 GMT on July 21 and should remain visible for about 3–4 hours. The best views will be from places where the Moon is above the horizon and the sky is already dark at that time. Good locations include Africa, especially its central and southern regions, as well as parts of Europe and South America.
July 29: Full Buck Moon in Capricornus
The Full Moon will occur on July 29. Traditionally, the July Full Moon is called the Buck Moon because young male deer grow new antlers around this time of year. You may also come across other names for it, such as the Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, or even Salmon Moon.
At the moment of full phase, the Moon will be in the constellation Capricornus. By the way, at around 23:00 GMT on July 29, the Moon will appear inside the “arrow” or “boat” shape that forms the recognizable outline of the constellation. This view will be best seen from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, western Asia, and the eastern part of South America.
Learn more: Full Moon in July 2026
Planets in July 2026
This month, the most interesting planetary action comes from Mars in the morning sky and Venus in the evening sky. Both planets will pass near bright stars, the Moon, and other sky objects, creating eye-catching patterns in the sky. Mercury and Jupiter, on the other hand, won’t be at their best: both will stay close to the Sun and eventually disappear in its glare. Observers who stay up late or head out before dawn can look for Saturn and Neptune in the morning sky, while Uranus will be visible near Mars before dawn.
Learn more: Planets Visible Tonight
Planets Visible in July 2026: Northern Hemisphere
| Planet | Best seen with | When to see | July 1–10 | July 11–20 | July 21–31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Naked eye | Evening → morning | 🔴 Poor | ⚫ Not visible | 🔴 Poor |
| Venus | Naked eye | Evening | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Mars | Naked eye | Morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Jupiter | Naked eye | Evening | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | ⚫ Not visible |
| Saturn | Naked eye | Morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Uranus | Binoculars or telescope | Morning | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
| Neptune | Telescope | Morning | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
- Mercury (Gemini; mag 0.3 to 5.6): At the beginning of the month, Mercury sets less than an hour after the Sun. Its visibility gets even worse by mid-July, as the planet reaches conjunction with the Sun on July 13. Toward the end of the month, you can try to catch it very low above the horizon before sunrise.
- Venus (Leo; mag -4): Venus shines low above the western horizon in the evening sky. On July 9, it passes close to Regulus; on July 17, it appears near the Moon; and on July 22, it forms a roughly equilateral triangle with Regulus and Denebola.
- Mars (Taurus; mag 1.3): Mars is fairly well placed in the morning sky throughout the month. On July 4, it meets Uranus between the Hyades and the Pleiades. On July 11, the Moon will also pass nearby.
- Jupiter (Cancer; mag -1.7): Jupiter finally loses its crown as the most prominent evening planet. Throughout the month, it sinks lower and lower toward the horizon, becoming unobservable by the end of July as it reaches conjunction with the Sun on July 29.
- Saturn (Pisces; mag 0.6): Saturn rises in the deep night and climbs highest by dawn. On July 7, it will appear as a bright dot near the Moon.
- Uranus (Taurus; mag 5.7): Uranus is fairly well placed in the morning sky throughout the month. In early July, it stays within 4 degrees of bright Mars and can be found above it with binoculars or a telescope. Since you’ll already have optics at hand, take a look at the nearby Pleiades and Hyades as well. On July 11, the Moon will also pass nearby.
- Neptune (Pisces; mag 7.7): Neptune rises in the deep night and remains visible until dawn. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope to spot it. Brighter Saturn can serve as a guide: throughout the month, it stays about 10 degrees below Neptune. On July 6, the Moon will pass nearby.
Planets in July 2026: visibility in the Southern Hemisphere
| Planet | Best seen with | When to see | July 1–10 | July 11–20 | July 21–31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Naked eye | Evening → morning | 🔴 Poor | ⚫ Not visible | 🔴 Poor |
| Venus | Naked eye | Evening | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Mars | Naked eye | Morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Jupiter | Naked eye | Evening | 🟡 Moderate | 🔴 Poor | ⚫ Not visible |
| Saturn | Naked eye | Morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Uranus | Binoculars or telescope | Morning | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
| Neptune | Telescope | Morning | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
- Mercury (Gemini; mag 0.3 to 5.6): At the beginning of the month, Mercury is visible low above the horizon in the evening sky. By mid-July, it moves closer to the Sun and reaches conjunction on July 13, after which it reappears in the morning sky.
- Venus (Leo; mag -4): Venus is well placed in the evening sky above the northwestern horizon. On July 9, it passes close to Regulus; on July 17, it appears near the Moon; and on July 22, it forms an equilateral triangle with Regulus and Denebola.
- Mars (Taurus; mag 1.3): Mars is visible before dawn, not very high above the horizon. On July 4, it meets Uranus between the Hyades and the Pleiades. On July 11, the Moon will also pass nearby.
- Jupiter (Cancer; mag -1.7): At the beginning of the month, Jupiter is visible low above the horizon, slightly higher than Mercury. Throughout July, it sinks lower and lower until it becomes unobservable near the end of the month, reaching conjunction with the Sun on July 29.
- Saturn (Pisces; mag 0.6): Saturn rises late at night and climbs highest by dawn. On July 7, it will appear as a bright dot near the Moon.
- Uranus (Taurus; mag 5.7): Uranus stays low in the morning sky throughout the month. In early July, it remains within 4 degrees of bright Mars and can be found above it with binoculars or a telescope. Since you’ll already have optics at hand, take a look at the nearby Pleiades and Hyades as well. On July 11, the Moon will also pass nearby.
- Neptune (Pisces; mag 7.7): Neptune rises late at night and remains visible until dawn. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope to find it. Brighter Saturn can serve as a guide: throughout the month, it stays about 10 degrees below Neptune. On July 6, the Moon will pass nearby.
July 4-22: Mars moves through Taurus
In July 2026, Mars spends the month in Taurus, making a series of close encounters with different objects in the morning sky.
On July 4–5, the Red Planet comes very close to Uranus, with the two planets passing within about 0°06′ of each other. At the time, both planets will be located between two bright star clusters — the Pleiades and the Hyades. Without optical aid, you’ll most likely see only Mars, unless your sky is exceptionally dark. Binoculars or a telescope will give you a much better view of all these objects. They should also look stunning in long-exposure photos.
On July 11, a thin lunar crescent joins the scene as it passes near Uranus and Mars. The bright planet next to the Moon will be easy to spot with the naked eye, while the nearby Pleiades will be easier to see through optics. The whole arrangement should make a beautiful target for photography. Besides, it’s not every day that you get a planet, a star cluster, and the Moon in the same field of view — that’s why we included this event in our list of the best astronomical events of 2026.
On July 13, Mars will appear 5°18′ from Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus. The two bright points will be visible near each other with the naked eye; with optics, you’ll also be able to see the Hyades star cluster, against which Aldebaran appears to sparkle.
On July 22, Mars will line up with Aldebaran and Elnath, another bright star in Taurus that marks the tip of the celestial bull’s horn. The row of bright points will stretch across more than 15 degrees of sky, so it’s best viewed with the naked eye — and luckily, all three objects are bright enough for that.
July 9-22: Venus moves through Leo
In July 2026, the dazzling planet Venus will light up the evening sky. All month long, it shines in the constellation Leo, creating several beautiful sky scenes to enjoy visually and photograph.
On July 9, Venus will pass near Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. At their closest, the two objects will be separated by just 0°58′. Both will be easy to spot with the naked eye; under a dark sky, you may also see the Sickle — an asterism shaped like a backward question mark, with Regulus marking the dot.
On July 17–18, a thin lunar crescent will appear near Venus. Together, Venus, Regulus, and the Moon will form a striking triangle in the sky, easily visible to the naked eye. The scene should also make a lovely target for photos.
On July 22, Venus will sit roughly midway between Regulus and Denebola, the second-brightest star in Leo marking the lion’s tail. The triangle formed by the three bright points will span about 25 degrees, so it will be best viewed with the naked eye.
Shooting stars in July 2026: double meteor shower & more
After a long meteor drought, several July meteor showers will finally sprinkle the sky with shooting stars — and the most exciting action is expected toward the end of the month:
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On July 9–10, the July Pegasids meteor shower reaches its peak. This is a modest shower, producing only about 3 meteors per hour at its maximum. Still, the Moon won’t be too bright around the peak, so we’ll have a fair chance of spotting as many meteors as possible. Observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best view.
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On July 28, the Gamma Draconids reach their peak. This shower can occasionally produce outbursts of up to 30–40 meteors per hour, but such activity hasn’t been seen for a long time; more often, the peak rate stays around 5 meteors per hour. Even those few meteors may be washed out by bright moonlight, as the peak comes just one day before the Full Moon. Still, observers in the Northern Hemisphere can try their luck — ideally from a spot where the Moon can be blocked by a building, tree, or other obstacle.
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On July 29, the Piscis Austrinids will also reach their peak. This is a low-key meteor shower that typically produces no more than about 5 meteors per hour. In 2026, the timing is far from ideal: the peak falls on the night of the Full Moon, whose glare will wash out most faint meteors. Still, Southern Hemisphere observers may catch a few brighter streaks if they watch from a dark spot and keep the Moon hidden behind a tree, building, or hill.
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On July 31, observers in the Southern Hemisphere will get a double meteor shower: the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids peak on the same day. Together, they may bring a double dose of meteors — about 25 per hour from the Delta Aquariids and 5 per hour from the Alpha Capricornids. Unfortunately, the Moon will be very bright and may outshine many of them. Try to find a dark observing spot with an obstacle, such as a tall tree or building, that can hide the Moon from view.
| Date | Meteor Shower | Activity rate | Moon illumination | Best visible from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 9–10 | July Pegasids | 3 meteors per hour | ~25% | Northern Hemisphere |
| July 28 | Gamma Draconids | 5 meteors per hour | ~99% | Northern Hemisphere |
| July 29 | Piscis Austrinids | 5 meteors per hour | ~99% | Southern Hemisphere |
| July 30-31 | Southern Delta Aquariids | 25 meteors per hour | ~97% | Southern Hemisphere |
| July 30-31 | Alpha Capricornids | 5 meteors per hour | ~97% | Southern Hemisphere |
Learn more: Meteor Showers from June to September 2026
Best constellations to see in July 2026
Let’s look at the season’s most recognizable constellations best visible around 9–10 p.m. local time.
Learn more: July Constellations
July constellations in the Northern Hemisphere
In the Northern Hemisphere, July evenings are perfect for spotting Draco, Hercules, Ophiuchus, and Scorpius. Start with the bright summer stars: find Vega and Arcturus, then look between them for the Keystone asterism that marks the body of Hercules. Draco winds around Polaris and the Little Dipper, while Ophiuchus stretches above Scorpius. If you have a clear southern horizon, look low in the south for Scorpius and its bright red star Antares.
July constellations in the Southern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere, July brings some of the best views of Scorpius, Triangulum Australe, Ara, Apus, and Norma. Scorpius appears high in the sky after dark, with the red star Antares marking the scorpion’s heart. Nearby, you can look for the compact shape of Triangulum Australe.
Deep-sky objects in July 2026
July is one of the best months for exploring deep-sky objects. With the Milky Way stretching high across the sky, this is a great time to hunt for nebulae, star clusters, and distant galaxies. For the best experience, choose a dark location away from city lights and let your eyes adapt to the darkness.
Beginners can start with bright and relatively easy targets, such as the Lagoon Nebula, Butterfly Cluster, or Hercules Cluster. More experienced observers may try fainter objects like the Veil Nebula, Cat’s Eye Nebula, or Fireworks Galaxy.
Learn more: Best Deep-Sky Objects of July
Sky Events in July 2026: FAQ
What is the best astronomical event in July 2026?
One of the best astronomical events of July 2026 is the Moon near Mars and the Pleiades on July 11. A thin lunar crescent will pass near the Red Planet and the famous star cluster in Taurus, creating a rare and beautiful scene for the naked eye, binoculars, and photos. This event is so special that we included it in our list of the best astronomical events of 2026.
What planets are visible in July 2026?
In July 2026, Venus will be visible in the evening sky, while Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will be visible in the morning sky. Mercury and Jupiter will be harder to observe, as both stay close to the Sun and reach solar conjunction during the month. Learn more in our guide to planets visible tonight.
When is the Full Moon in July 2026?
The Full Moon will occur on July 29, 2026, at 14:36 GMT. This Full Moon is traditionally called the Buck Moon. It will rise around sunset and remain visible all night in the constellation Capricornus. Learn more in our dedicated article about the Full Moon in July 2026.
When is the New Moon in July 2026?
The New Moon will occur on July 14, 2026, at 09:43 GMT. Around this date, the sky will be at its darkest, making it a great time to observe faint stars, deep-sky objects, and the Milky Way.
Are there any meteor showers in July 2026?
Yes, several meteor showers will reach their peak in July 2026. The July Pegasids peak on July 9–10, the Gamma Draconids on July 28, the Piscis Austrinids on July 29, and the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids on July 31. The best meteor event of the month is the double meteor shower on July 31, although the bright Moon may wash out many faint meteors. Learn more in our guide to meteor showers from June to September 2026.
What is the best time to see the Milky Way in July 2026?
The best time to see the Milky Way in July 2026 is around the New Moon on July 14, as well as a few nights before and after it. Choose a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes time to adapt to the darkness. Learn more about when and how to see the Milky Way in our dedicated article.
What constellations can I see in July 2026?
In the Northern Hemisphere, July evenings are good for spotting Draco, Hercules, Ophiuchus, and Scorpius. In the Southern Hemisphere, look for Scorpius, Triangulum Australe, Ara, Apus, and Norma. For the best view, observe around 9–10 p.m. local time from a dark location. Explore the details in our article about the constellations visible in July.
Other astronomy-related events in July 2026
- July 2 — UFO Day. If you read our articles regularly, you might be feeling a bit of déjà vu: wasn’t UFO Day in June? You’re right — it was. In June, we marked the anniversary of the “flying saucers” reported by pilot Kenneth Arnold. In July, UFO Day is tied to the Roswell incident — the alleged UFO crash near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. Spoiler: it eventually turned out to be a high-altitude balloon. Aircraft, weather balloons, sky lanterns, and other ordinary objects are often mistaken for UFOs, too. Find out why this happens in our infographic about objects most often confused with UFOs.
- July 4 — 10 years since Juno entered Jupiter’s orbit. As the joke goes, “the wife went to check on her unfaithful husband.” By the way, did you know that Jupiter’s four largest moons are named after his mythological love interests? We tell the full story of their discovery and explain how they differ from one another in our article about the Galilean moons.
- July 20 — 57 years since the Apollo 11 Moon landing. More than half a century has passed, yet some people still find it hard to believe that humans really pulled it off — especially with technology far more limited than what we have today. If you’re skeptical too, read our article about the 5 most popular Moon landing myths — we hope it will change your mind.
- July 28 — 175 years since the first successful photograph of a solar eclipse. It was taken by Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski, a Prussian photographer, and became one of his best-known works. Back then, taking and developing a photograph was a serious undertaking; today, all it takes is a tap on a phone screen. Still, photographing the sky can be a little trickier. If you’ve been wanting to capture a beautiful celestial scene, check out our beginner’s guide to astrophotography — you’re sure to find something useful there.
Astronomical Events in July 2026: Bottom Line
July 2026 offers plenty to see in the night sky. The top highlights include the Moon near Mars and the Pleiades on July 11, Venus near Regulus on July 9, and the double meteor shower on July 31.
To make sure you don’t miss any of these events, check the Sky Tonight app. It will show you exactly what’s visible from your location and help you find planets, stars, constellations, meteor showers, and deep-sky objects in the real sky.
