Derekscope

Conjunction of Mars and Uranus

• Mars and Uranus will appear in a close conjunction, with both lying below the Pleiades (M45) in the pre-dawn sky.
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Your guide to the night sky this month,
and a guide for binoculars, and telescope deaf owners,
compiled by Derek Rowley

2026 July

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Noctilucent clouds

• The best time to see noctilucent clouds is during this month ~ July, although they can sometimes be seen from late May to early August.
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• They are easiest to spot on clear evenings or early mornings in the northern sky after sunset or before sunrise.
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• They are made of tiny ice crystals and glow with a beautiful blue-white colour because they are still lit by the Sun after it has set.
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• You can sometimes see them on summer nights, low in the northern sky.
  Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds on Earth.
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• They look like shiny, wavy ribbons and are one of nature’s most amazing sights!
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(See my astrophotography – Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs)

• The Teapot is a well-known asterism (an easily recognized pattern of stars) within the constellation Sagittarius.
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• Although it isn’t an official constellation itself, it’s one of the easiest star patterns to spot in the summer sky.
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• Antares is famous because it is one of the biggest and brightest stars you can see in the night sky.
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• The Moon helps you easily find the Scorpius constellation.
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• It’s a nice event for stargazing with the naked eye.
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• Spica is one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
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• It is actually not just one star, but two stars that orbit each other.
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• These two stars are very hot and shine with a strong blue-white light.
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• Even though it looks like a single star to our eyes, it is about 250 light-years away from Earth.
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• Lunar X and Lunar V
  Sunlight catches rims at lunar first quarter to create the bright V and X shapes.

• Best viewing time in the UK
  The phenomenon occurs in the late evening for British Summer Time (BST).
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  –…Today: Monday 22nd June 2026
  –…Start formation: not visible
  –…Peak visibility: not visible
  –…Fade disappearing: not visible
  –…Visible: not visible (below the horizon)
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• The next one will be on Tuesday 21st July 2026.
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• The Moon repeats its cycle every 29½ days, so these effects happen every month, just on slightly different dates – see the complete full timetable for 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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• Equipment
  While sometimes visible with high-power binoculars, a telescope is recommended to see the fine detail of the crater rims forming the Lunar X and V.
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• First Quarter Moon tonight!
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• Half-lit and shining bright in the evening sky.
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• A perfect time for sky-watching, as craters and lunar details along the shadow line become especially sharp and beautiful through binoculars or a telescope.
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• Today marks the Summer Solstice

• The official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
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• The longest day of the year in the UK, with around 16 hours and 45 minutes of daylight.
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• The Sun rises at approximately 4:42am and sets near 9:27pm, giving us the shortest night of the year.
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• How to sign equinox in BSL?
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Venus meets the Beehive Cluster (M44) tonight.

• Look toward the western sky after sunset to enjoy this stunning sight.
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• Binoculars may help reveal the sparkling stars of the Beehive Cluster (M44) around bright Venus.
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• A beautiful close approach in the evening sky ~ perfect for sky watching and astrophotography.
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