July nights start out a bit short, but by the end of the month, the nights have lengthened. Look for the center of the galaxy, a coat hanger, and a blue moon this month.
The only bright planet left in the evening sky is Jupiter. It's dimming a bit now, and is not as bright as it was this spring. Try viewing it right after sunset while it is high in the sky, before it hits the horizon turbulence.
Mars and Mercury will be visible this month in the evening sky, but it will be hard to see either one. Mercury never rises too far above the horizon. Look for it low in the west right after sunset. Mars is close to Mercury, although lower in the sky, and will be difficult to see without a telescope. Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Rovers, are still sending back pictures from the Red Planet, look at them here: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/inde...
Neptune and Uranus rise in the east, Neptune around 10 p.m. late in July, Uranus around 11. Neptune is in Capricorn, Uranus in Aquarius. Look for the blue-greenish non-twinkling "stars." It's easier to find them if you check out an online star chart from one of the many sites that offer them. Try the one at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com ; this one is interactive and shows the positions of the planets.
Saturn and Venus have become morning planets. Venus rises at dawn at the beginning of July. By the end of the month, it is rising at 3 a.m. Saturn passes behind the sun, and by the end of July is rising around 4 a.m. The best thing about Saturn this month is that the Cassini spacecraft will reach Saturn by July 1, and will begin taking pictures and studying the ringed planet. Watch the news for information on it.
Scorpius and Sagittarius are still visible in the southern sky. They are filled with star clusters and nebulae. Look for the bright red star, Antares in Scorpius, as well as M6 and M7, two lovely star clusters. In Sagittarius, look for the distinctive "teapot" asterism. Sagittarius contains the center of the Milky Way Galaxy; that is why it is filled with so many interesting objects. Look for M8 and M20, the Lagoon Nebula and the Triffid Nebula. M22 is a wonderful star cluster at the top of the teapot. You can find the locations of these on any good star chart.
