Idaho Skies Star Charts for July

Don't confuse Jupiter for Spica. Jupiter will be brighter and more yellowish. Aim your binoculars at Jupiter to see its largest satellites. They will change their position relative to Jupiter nightly. Steady your binoculars for better views. A tree, fence post, or car make good props.

Jupiter's second largest satellite will be the easiest to see through binoculars. The others are a little too close to the glare of Jupiter on the 1st.

Zubenelgenubi is a widely spaced double star. Most people can split it into two with binoculars.

Ptolemy's Cluster was identified as a fuzzy spot nearly 2,000 years ago. Through binoculars, it changes from a fuzzy cloud and into a cluster of stars.

The moon sits between Earth and the center of the Milky Way galaxy on the 7th. This means you'll find lots of star clusters and nebulas surrounding the moon. Use your binoculars.

Mercury makes a poor appearance in July. Your best days to see this tiny planet are around the 13th.

The Morning Star passes along side two attractive star clusters this month. Watch Venus change its position relative to  the Hyades star cluster this week.

A slightly tough object to find this month because binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees. Try finding Uranus by placing the center of the moon at the 7 o'clock position of your binoculars. Uranus will be the second brightest star near the 1 o'clock position. 

There's a tight pairing between the thin crescent moon and Venus on the morning of the 20th.

The sky will still be illuminated by the setting sun when Mercury, Regulus, and the moon group up. Use binoculars, but only after the sun has set, to find this attractive trio. Mercury is brighter than Regulus,  the brightest star in Leo the Lion.    

The second time the moon passes close to Jupiter is on the 28th. Be sure to use your binoculars to scan the moon and Jupiter.

Binoculars will show you Ganymede and Callisto on the 28th.