Depending on the moon phase and weather, you can try and view a range of intriguing events in some months while others are bursting with them. Another great month is July 2022. There are typically 2+ opportunities to see a variety of celestial objects and events throughout the July night sky, including Messier objects, planets, asteroids, and more.
On a clear night, it is possible to see the Milky Way practically every night from a dark place. However, some vistas are only visible on specific evenings of the month. Accuweather lists the top astronomy events of July, including a supermoon and shooting stars.
Super Thunder Moon: July 13
The "Buck Moon" or "Thunder Moon," the July full moon, will take place on July 13 at 2:37 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. At 5:06 a.m. on that day, the moon will also reach perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth. It will result in a "supermoon" a full moon that is larger than usual.
NASA eclipse watcher Fred Espenak told Space.com that it is the third of four consecutive supermoons.
Space.com added, citing timeanddate.com, that observers in New York City will witness the nearly full moon set at around 4:55 a.m. local time and rise at 9:00 p.m on July 13.
The full moon in July, also a supermoon, is sometimes referred to as the Thunder Moon since thunderstorms frequently rumble during the summer.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the full moon in July is also referred to as the Buck Moon, Salmon Moon, Berry Moon, and Halfway Summer Moon.
Comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRS): July 14
Some astronomers described the comet speeding across our sky as "giant." You can see it right now, and in the upcoming two weeks, the scenery might improve.
The PanSTARRS telescope was used to find comet Comet C/2017 K2. The comet was discovered just five years ago, in May 2017, according to MLive, citing NASA.
As it moves toward the sun, C/2017 K2 gets closer to the Earth. On July 14, the comet will be the closest to Earth.
The magnitude of this comet is fascinating. A Michigan astronomer named Brian Ottum, who owns a telescope in New Mexico, told MLive that the snow-covered rock nucleus is giant-twice the size of Mount Everest.
Telescopes must be aimed toward the southern sky above the constellation Scorpius to see Comet PanSTARRS. It will be visible on July 14 at roughly 11 p.m. local time, nearly midway between Saturn and the brilliant star Arcturus.
The comet should be visible in the same region of the sky for the remainder of the month, even if there are clouds on July 14.
Meteor Showers: July 29-31
July will begin with pyrotechnics as part of the Fourth of July celebrations and close with the astronomical equivalent as two meteor showers peak within less than 48 hours.
Aquariids, Delta
This rain will peak on July 30 and be active from July 12 to Aug. 23. According to Newham Recorder, up to 25 meteors will come per hour.
The meteor shower is distinguished by its low rate per hour and a constant stream of meteors over several days.
Capricornian Alphas
The peak of this rain, which is active from July 3 to Aug. 15, will occur on July 30 and 31. Newham Recorder mentioned that up to 5 meteors will come per hour. Fireballs that are slow, brilliant, and yellow define the shower.
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