By Erich Karkoschka
Venus is the “Evening Star” during dusk. Seven degrees ahead in the ecliptic is Mars, but 6 magnitudes fainter than Venus. On the 12th, Venus passes Mars only .5 degrees north. On the 20th, Venus passes Regulus at 1 degree distance. Mars follows behind Venus and passes Regulus on the 29th at only .6 degrees distance. Since they set at 8:30 pm, one has to watch this when it is still bright outside. Regulus should be visible. Mars is half magnitude fainter and will come into view then too.
Mars is close to Venus this month.
Saturn rises once it is dark and it stays up all night. Its opposition will be August 1st.
20 degrees east of Mars is Jupiter. Both planets form a large triangle with Fomalhaut well below them. This is best viewed in the morning when they are higher. The shape of this triangle will change as the distance between Jupiter and Saturn decreases over the summer. The right angle at Jupiter will become a larger angle.
Uranus and Neptune are morning planets.
Mercury has a short showing until July 22. It rises at 4 am below Castor and Pollux and does not come up high before twilight gets bright.
