What’s in The Night Sky Over CNY in July 2025

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SAS Events

  • July 17th Board Meeting: Our Monthly Board Meeting occurs at 7:30PM. This will be at the Darling Hill observatory if the weather is nice or a zoom only meeting if it is not. Members can check your email for a link.
  • July 18th/July 19th Public Observing Session: Join us for our monthly public observing session. Bring your family to explore the marvels of the night sky and catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. We will feature an EAA presentation, and our main telescope will be available for viewing.
  • July 25th/July 26th Member Observing Session: Join us for a member observation session on the weekend of May 30th. Bring your telescopes and enjoy stargazing alongside fellow members.

Special Astronomical Events

  • Persid Meteor Shower: The meteors from this shower are anticipated to be visible from July 17th to August 23rd. The peak viewing time is in August but we will begin to see meteors from it during the second half of the month. The radiant point is the constellation Perseus in the sky. This shower is caused by the dust released from the orbits of Comet Swift-Tuttle.
  • Full Buck Moon: The full moon in July, occurs on the 10th, is known as the “Buck Moon.” It is named as this is the time when Bucks Antlers are fully grown for the year.

Moon Phases

  • First Quarter: July 2nd
  • Full Moon: July 10th
  • Last Quarter: July 17th
  • New Moon: July 24th

Constellations to Spot

  • Cygnus (the Swan): The core of the Milky Way goes through this constellation. It can be found by looking for the Northern Cross
  • Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer): Ophiuchus, recognized as the Serpent Bearer, is an expansive constellation situated near the celestial equator. This figure is depicted holding a snake behind him, which represents the constellation Serpens. You can spot Ophiuchus in the night sky, nestled between the constellations of Scorpius and Sagittarius.
  • Sagittarius (The Archer): Prominent in the souther sky in the summer, it contains the teapot asterism, and being the center of our galaxy.

Objects to Look at through Binoculars or a Small Telescope

  • Albireo: This is a beautiful double star located in the constellation Cygnus. With binoculars or a small telescope, you can see the contrasting colors of the two stars, one appearing golden and the other bluish.
  • The Dumbell Nebula (M27): The Dumbbell Nebula (M27), located in the constellation Vulpecula, is a striking planetary nebula known for its distinctive hourglass shape and vibrant colors, making it a favorite target for amateur astronomers.
  • The Hercules Globular Cluster (M13): Situated in the constellation Hercules, this globular cluster is one of the brightest in the northern hemisphere. With binoculars, it appears as a fuzzy ball, while a telescope reveals its dense core of stars.
  • The Lagoon Nebula (M8): Found in the constellation Sagittarius, the Lagoon Nebula is a vast region of star formation. It’s visible as a bright area with a cluster of stars, and its nebulosity is a delight to observe with small optical instruments.

Deep Sky Targets for Astrophotographers

  • The Andromeda Galaxy (M31): Located in the constellation Andromeda, this galaxy is one of the closest to the Milky Way and the largest visible to the naked eye. Its spiral arms and bright core make it a popular target for astrophotographers.
  • The Trifid Nebula (M20): Situated in Sagittarius, the Trifid Nebula is a unique object known for its three-lobed appearance. It combines an open cluster of stars, a bright emission nebula, a reflection nebula, and a dark nebula, offering a challenging yet rewarding target for imaging.
  • The Eagle Nebula (M16): Found in the constellation Serpens, the Eagle Nebula is famous for the “Pillars of Creation,” towering columns of gas and dust captured in iconic images. This nebula is a stellar nursery and provides stunning photographic opportunities.
  • The Veil Nebula (NGC 6960 and NGC 6992): Located in the constellation Cygnus, the Veil Nebula is a supernova remnant. Its intricate filamentary structure spans a large area of the sky, making it a stunning subject for wide-field astrophotography sessions.

AUTHOR

John Rush
John Rush is relatively new to the hobby of Astronomy. He has always had an interest in space, and a passion for the night time sky, ever since he first looked at the rings of Saturn, through his telescope, in the backyard at his parents house. Eventually he was able to visit a sky dark enough to see the Milky Way and the rest is history. During the day he works as Technical Manager at a laboratory in Liverpool, NY. However at night if it’s clear you can very often find him at DHO pointing his telescope to the sky.