Southern Skywatch July 2019 edition is now out!

Evening sky on Thursday, July 4  as seen looking north-west from Adelaide at 18:12 ACST (60 minutes after sunset). Mars is close to the thin crescent Moon, making a triangle with Mercury.

Similar views will be seen throughout Australia at the equivalent local time (60 minutes after sunset, click to embiggen).

The July edition of Southern Skywatch is now up.

Mercury leaves the evening sky in the middle of  this month. Mercury forms a triangle with  the crescent Moon and Mars on the 4th, then catches up with Mars, being closest on the 8th. After the 15th it is lost in the twilight.

Venus is low in the morning skies and is close to the crescent Moon on the 2nd. It is lost in the twilight after this.

Earth is at aphelion on July 5 when it is furthest from the Sun.

 Mars is close to the crescent Moon on the 4th, forming a triangle with Mercury. Mars is also close to Mercury on the 8th.

Jupiter was at opposition on July the 11th, when it was brightest and biggest as seen from Earth.  Jupiter is still excellent for telescopic viewing. Jupiter is close to waxing Moon on the 13th.

Saturn climbs higher in the morning sky and is at opposition on the 10th. The waxing Moon close to Saturn on the 16th.

There is a partial lunar eclipse on the morning of the 17th, it favours Western Australia, but the central staes will have reasonable views.

July 2, crescent Moon near Venus.

July 4; Mars close to the crescent Moon. July 13; Moon close to Jupiter. July 16; waning Moon close to Saturn. July 17, partial lunar eclipse.

July 5 Moon at perigee, July 21 Moon at Apogee.