Although the July full moon has already passed, the month will continue to bring exciting lunar activity to look out for, such as the appearance of the crescent Moon and the planet Mars next to one another.
On July 28th, New Yorkers should be able to see the planet Mars side by side with the crescent moon, clear skies permitting.
This phenomenon is known as a conjunction—an event that occurs when two or more celestial bodies appear close together from our perspective on Earth. In this case, the Moon and the Red Planet, Mars, are involved.
Stargazers in North America, Europe and Asia will see this conjunction of the Moon and Mars, whereas those in parts of Antarctica may see what’s noted as a lunar occultation, when the moon will pass in front of Mars and effectively block the planet from view.
Over the course of the month, Mars will continue to drop lower in the sky. Thus, it may appear dimmer as days pass. New Yorkers will have the best shot of catching a glimpse at Mars next to the Moon an hour or two after sundown (~8:15pm on July 28th) in the western sky. Improve your chances with binoculars to see the planet’s reddish hue.
Additional July spectacles include a view of the Eagle constellation, referred to by the name Aquila, in the eastern sky during the first half of every night. You can locate it by searching for Altair, its brightest star, lying at the southernmost point in the star pattern, Summer Triangle.
Learn more about other celestial events this month on NASA’s website and be sure to mark your calendar for August’s full Sturgeon Moon on August 9th, 2025.