What’s Up in Denver? July 7th through 13th, 2025

by Editor on July 6, 2025 with No Comments

Here’s a brief look at what’s going on in the Mile High City this week.

July 7:

The Moon with Antares - Created with Stellarium — The Moon with Antares – Created with Stellarium

Look for the waxing gibbous Buck Moon to cozy up with Antares in the southern sky in Scorpius – Antares is a bright red supergiant star in the heart of the constellation Scorpius, often called the “Heart of the Scorpion.” It’s about 550 light-years away and one of the largest visible stars in the night sky. Antares shines with a deep reddish hue and is often compared to Mars—its name even means “rival of Mars.”

July 8:

Venus, Uranus, and Saturn - Created with Stellarium — Venus, Uranus, and Saturn – Created with Stellarium

Look for a three planet parade in the early morning eastern skies in July. Venus, Uranus, and Saturn are all above the horizon after 3am. While Uranus can’t be seen with the naked eye, it is easily resolved with binoculars or a telescope. Venus and Saturn are both easily seen with no optical aides.

July 9:

The Moon in the Tea Pot - Created with Stellarium — The Moon in the Tea Pot – Created with Stellarium

Look for the waxing gibbous Buck Moon to visit the Teapot asterism low in the southern sky in Sagittarius.

July 10:

Cosmic Conversations: Knowns and Unknowns in the Atmosphere of Venus

Standley Lake Stargazing: Cosmic Conversations – Guest: Dr. Kevin McGouldrick – Knowns and Unknowns in the Atmosphere of Venus at Standley Lake Library or Zoom Livestream: 6:00 PM
Full Buck Moon: 2:36 PM

July 11:

The Fish Hook Asterism - Created with Stellarium — The Fish Hook Asterism – Created with Stellarium

Look for the summer asterism called the Fishhook in Scorpius in the southern skies all through July

July 12:

DAS Annual Members-Only Picnic: check your DAS membership email for more details. DAS will provide BBQ meats (beef brisket, chicken, and pulled pork), two sides (coleslaw and beans), buns, veggie tray, and drinks (lemonade, iced tea, and water). Members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share with fellow members and their guests.

July 13:

Venus with Aldeberan - Created with Stellarium — Venus with Aldebaran – Created with Stellarium

Look for Venus within a few degrees of Aldebaran (A bright red giant star that is often called the “Eye of the Bull.” It’s located about 65 light-years from Earth and is the 14th brightest star in the night sky.) in Taurus low in the eastern sky before sunset.

Sky Map

The pdf map of the night sky from SkyMaps.com can be found at https://www.skymaps.com/skymaps

This Week’s Meteoric Activity:

You can keep track of the activity of meteor showers as well as those beyond the limits of visual observing by visiting the NASA Meteor Shower Portal.

Anthelion (ANT): 1:00 AM local time in eastern Libra: 1 per hour.
alpha Capricornids (CAP): 2:00 AM Local Time in northeastern Sagittarius: less than 1 per hour.
Northern June Aquilids (NZC): 3:00 AM local time in western Aquarius: less than 1 per hour.
Microscopiids (MIC): 3:00 AM local time on the Microscopium/Capricornus border: less than 1 per hour.
July Pegasids (JPE): last dark hour of night in southern Pegasus: 1 per hour.
zeta Cassiopeiids (ZCS): last dark hour of night on the Andromeda/Cassiopeia border: less than 1 per hour.
phi Piscids (PPS): last dark hour of night in northeastern Pisces: less than 1 per hour.
c-Andromedids (CAN): last dark hour of night in northeastern Andromeda: less than 1 per hour.
July chi Arietids (JXA): last dark hour of night in southeastern Pisces: less than 1 per hour.