Sky Report

July, 2025

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report for the period between July 1 and July 31, 2025. Here are the events happening in the sky of southern California.

All times are in Pacific Daylight Time, PDT.

The sun rises on the 1^st in the east-northeast at 5:46 a.m., and sets in the west-northwest at 8:09 p.m.  On the 31^st, the sun rises in the east-northeast at 6:04 a.m. and sets in the west-northwest at 7:55 p.m.

Mercury on the 1^st sets in the west-northwest at 9:44 p.m. with a disk 46-percent illuminated and 7.6 arcseconds wide. On the 17^th, the sun sets at 8:04 p.m., and Mercury sets in the west-northwest at 8:56 p.m., 52 minutes later. The planet is 19-percent illuminated and ten arcseconds wide. After the 17^th, Mercury is close to the sun, and it is not safe to observe it. Do not observe any planet when it comes close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great.

Venus rises on the 1^st in the east-northeast at 3:04 a.m., with a disk 64-percent illuminated and 18-arcseconds wide. On the 31^st, Venus rises in the east-northeast at 3:11 a.m., with a disk 75-percent illuminated and 14-arcseconds wide.

Mars is in Leo the Lion. On the 1^st, Mars sets in the west-northwest at 11:22 p.m., with a disk 92-percent illuminated and 4.9-arcseconds wide. On the 31^st, Mars sets in the west at 10:09 p.m., with a disk 94-percent illuminated and 4.4-arcseconds wide. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s disk.

Jupiter is in Gemini the Twins. On the 1^st, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 5:25 a.m., 21 minutes before the sun rises, and is not safe to observe. Do not observe any planet when it is close to the sun, for the danger to the eyes is great. On the 15^th, Jupiter rises in the east-northeast at 4:44 a.m., and the sun rises at 5:53 a.m., one hour nine minutes later. On the 31^st, the planet rises at 3:57 a.m. Jupiter is 32-arcseconds wide. A telescope capable of magnification 50x will show the Red Spot, and the four bright Galilean moons can be seen moving back and forth, across and behind Jupiter.

Saturn is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1^st, Saturn rises in the east at 12:26 a.m. On the 31^st, the planet rises at 10:24 p.m.  Saturn is 18-arcseconds wide. The rings and Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, can be seen with a telescope capable of magnification 50x. Saturn is one degree south of Neptune. Binoculars or a telescope with a magnification of 50x or less will show both planets in the same field of view.

Saturn’s moon Titan will cast its shadow on Saturn’s disk twice this month. Such an event is called a transit. The first transit starts on the 2^nd, at 12:23 a.m., and ends at 6:00 a.m. The second transit starts on the 17^th at 11:43 p.m., and ends on the 18^th at 5:02 a.m.  Titan’s shadow is about half an arcsecond in width. A magnification of more than 300x is needed to see such a small feature.

Uranus is in Taurus the Bull. On the 1^st, Uranus rises in the east-northeast at 3:05 a.m.  On the 31^st, Uranus rises at 1:11 a.m.  On the 15^th, Uranus is at Right Ascension 3^h 52^m 49^s and declination of +20° 0ʹ 51ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 3.5-arcsecond disk.

Neptune is in Pisces the Fishes. On the 1^st, Neptune rises in the east at 12:23 a.m.  On the 31^st, Neptune rises at 10:21 p.m.  On the 15^th, Neptune is at Right Ascension 0^h 10^m 1^s and declination of -0° 22ʹ 16ʺ. A magnification of 200x or more is needed to see the planet’s 2.3-arcsecond disk.

The moon is at first quarter on the 2^nd, full moon on the 10^th, last quarter on the 17^th, and new moon on the 24^th.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lunar-X is visible on the moon on the afternoon of the 2^nd for a few hours, starting at 5:15 p.m.  A telescope with a magnification of 100x is needed to see Lunar-X, which is caused by sunlight illuminating the rims of two craters, which appear as a white X on the dark portion of the moon.  It is located south of the center of the line between the lighted and dark halves of the moon.

In the major lunar standstill of 2024-2025, the July southernmost moon rises as a full moon on the 8^th at 6:54 p.m., and sets on the 9^th at 4:22 a.m. Griffith Observatory will do a web broadcast on the transit of July’s southernmost moon during the night of the 8^th. The July northernmost moon rises as a waning crescent on the 22^nd at 3:20 a.m., and sets at 6:49 p.m.  Griffith observatory is not conducting a public event or web broadcast for July’s northernmost moon. For details on the major lunar standstill, please visit the website at https://griffithobservatory.org/extreme-moon-the-major-lunar-standstills-of-2024-2025/

The Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks from the night of the 29^th through to the morning of the 30^th. The waxing crescent moon will set early and will not interfere with observations. These meteors produce good rates for a week centered on the night of maximum. These are usually faint meteors that lack both persistent trains and fireballs.

The alpha Capricornid meteor shower peaks from the night of the 29^th through to the morning of the 30^th. Again, the moon will not interfere with observations. This shower is not very strong and rarely produces more than five shower members per hour. The shower is notable, however, for the number of bright fireballs produced during its activity period.

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July 1st to the 9th shows the Moon waxing which means more of its surface is illuminated. The Full Moon on the 10th ends this cycle. Starting from the 11th on, the Moon is waning. The First Quarter is on the 2nd, and the Last Quarter is on the 17th. July 24th marks the New Moon.

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