Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

Wednesday, 26 June 2024 17:00

Monday 1st to Sunday 7th July 2024

Next week is a great time to go planet-spotting, beginning at around 3am on Monday 1st July. A 25%-lit waning crescent Moon will have risen above the horizon to the east, with the red planet Mars just to the left of it shining at a magnitude of +1.0

While you are there, look towards the south east and Saturn will be easy to find, shining equally brightly.

If instead you venture outside around 3.30am on Wednesday 3rd and look more towards the north east, the waning crescent Moon will now only be 9%-lit and this time, Mars will be to the right of it. Immediately below the Moon you will see Jupiter. You could also try to identify the Pleiades open cluster of stars sitting between the Moon and Mars.

We have a New Moon on Friday 5th, so if you go outside again on Sunday evening 7th just as it's getting dark, say from 8.30pm, a 3%-lit waxing crescent Moon will be located towards the west as it sets.

At the same time, a magnitude -0.1 planet Mercury will be a little below and to the left of the Moon.

Remember that if the Moon is heading towards a New Moon, then it is referred to as being "waning" and the illuminated part of the Lunar surface will be on the left. If heading towards a Full Moon, then it's called a "waxing" phase and the illuminated part will be on the right.

Incidentally, on Friday 5th, the Earth reaches the furthest point in its orbit around the Sun. This position is known as "Aphelion" and we will be just over 94 million miles from the Sun. Maybe that explains the lack of summer temperatures this year!