First Quarter moon offers prime viewing opportunities nationwide as Earth experiences aphelion (farthest point from the sun) during summer; don’t miss the stunning Moon-Mars conjunction and Saturn’s tilted rings visible through backyard telescopes.
By Joy Kigin
less than an hour ago
First-Quarter Moon & Mars-Regulus Cosmic Pairing
Earth’s Little Secret: Farthest From The Sun During Summer?
Okay, I simply can’t start this week’s sky guide without addressing yesterday’s cosmic irony (which our Senior Editorial Writer Chris DeWeese brilliantly unpacked in yesterday’s Morning Brief): Earth just reached aphelion — our farthest point from the sun all year! That’s right — we’re literally 94.5 million miles from our star during what’s peak summer heat for half the world. Talk about counterintuitive!
The real summer hero? That sassy 23.5-degree tilt our planet maintains. While we’re distance-wise playing hard-to-get with the sun, the Northern Hemisphere is actually flirting shamelessly — tilted toward those solar rays, soaking up direct sunlight for longer days. So next time someone complains about the heat, you can smile knowingly and drop this little astronomical truth bomb.
Now, on to the week ahead…
First Quarter Moon (July 5)
Half shadowed, half illuminated — our moon at its most dramatically two-faced. This phase offers the perfect balance of brightness and shadow, making the lunar landscape pop in remarkable 3D detail along the terminator line (that’s the wonderfully astro-geek term for where light meets dark on the lunar surface).
- When to Watch: Early evening until midnight
- Pro Tip: This is actually the best time to observe the moon with binoculars or a small telescope — the full moon might seem more impressive, but it’s actually too bright and flat for good detail. The shadows along crater rims during first quarter are simply chef’s kiss.
Mars-Regulus Close Approach (July 6-7)
The red planet moves exceptionally close to Leo’s brightest star, creating a striking color contrast between Mars’ reddish hue and Regulus’ blue-white brilliance.
- When to Watch: Western sky after sunset
- Pro Tip: Easily visible to the naked eye; no equipment needed.
Mercury’s Brief Spotlight Moment (July 7)
Mercury is basically the celestial equivalent of that friend who always cancels plans — elusive and hard to pin down. But this week offers a rare opportunity as it reaches greatest western elongation (its maximum apparent distance from the sun). It’s still a challenge, but if you’ve never spotted Mercury before, this is your moment.
- When to Watch: 45 minutes before sunrise, eastern horizon
- Pro Tip: Requires clear eastern horizon; binoculars helpful but not necessary.
Mercury, just before sunrise.
Moon & Mars Conjunction (July 8)
The waxing gibbous moon photobombs Mars on July 8, creating one of the week’s most photographable moments. The contrast between the bright moon and the subtler red planet creates a composition that practically begs to be shared on your social media of choice.
- When to Watch: Early evening, western sky
- Pro Tip: This is a perfect smartphone photography opportunity. Use night mode and tap to focus on the moon.
Other Celestial Highlights
Saturn: Visible after midnight in Aquarius with well-tilted rings for telescope viewing
- When to Watch: After midnight until dawn, southern sky
Venus: Continues as brilliant morning star in the eastern pre-dawn sky
- When to Watch: 1-2 hours before sunrise
Milky Way Core: Rising in the southeast, best seen from dark-sky locations
- When to Watch: Late evening until dawn
- Pro Tip: Light pollution significantly reduces visibility; worth traveling to darker skies.
Deep-Sky Objects for Binoculars/Telescopes
- Hercules Cluster (M13): Globular cluster high overhead
- Ring Nebula (M57): Planetary nebula in Lyra, visible with telescopes
- Beehive Cluster (M44): Open star cluster in Cancer, excellent for binoculars