Night Sky Events for July 10-16, 2023; Venus, Mercury, Manhattanhenge, and More

(Photo : (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)) The Sun sets in alignment with Manhattan streets running east-west, also known as Manhattanhenge, in New York City on May 30, 2023. Manhattanhenge occurs about the same two days in May and then again on two days in July every year.

The night sky is clouded with events from July 10 to 16, with six major events starting with the moon of the Last Quarter phase to Venus sinking from Regulus. Stars won't be that visible for those living 50º North of the equator.

According to Forbes, there will be six major events this week, and the sky in the northern hemisphere will experience limited darkness. There will also be many planets showing and a series of celestial events starting with the Last Quarter Moon.

Last Quarter Moon on July 10

The night skies would reach the Last Quarter phase; and with it, the moon would rise after midnight and leave the sky around noon. NASA describes this phenomenon as the third quarter moon, wherein only half of the moon can be seen.

This often shows a full half of the moon illuminated and the other half in darkness.

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Manhattanhenge on July 12 and 13

During this event, the sunset will show itself between the skyscrapers of Manhattan, lining up to its key cardinal points when looking west. This picturesque event only happens for two days in May and two days in July.

For those in town, the American Museum of Natural History can share the needed details of this sunset. The occurrence will happen at 8:20 PM (EDT) on July 12 and 8:21 PM (EDT) on July 13.

Crescent Moon and the Pleiades on July 13

One of the slimmest crescent moons will be visible on this date, only lighting up at 18% of its surface. This moon will be visible to the east just a few hours before sunrise.

The sunrise during this time will show the Pleiades open cluster just 2º above. Night viewers will also be able to look to the upper right of the sky and see Jupiter.

Mercury Rising on July 14

Mercury will appear on July 14, with the "Swift Planet" becoming visible to the west-northwest area of the sky. Forbes advises night viewers to wear binoculars to see Mercury.

However, night viewers must look closer to the twilight horizon before it exits the sky.

The Old Moon in the New Moon's Arms on July 15

Another special event will happen on this day called "The Old Moon in the New Moon's Arms." This is when a slight 5.5% lit crescent moon will be visible just around the east-northeast.

To find this phenomenon, night viewers must look closer to the upper left, as it'll be closer to the Capella star with Pleiades on its upper right and, after that, Jupiter.

Venus and Regulus on July 16

The last two "night sky" events of the week are Venus and Regulus, with a bright Venus sinking out of the summer sky. Venus will be sinking from the Leo constellation's brightest star, Regulus.

Venus can be found less than 2º from Regulus while they're 79 light years away from the solar system.