Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2025-W31

Week begins: Monday, July 28, 2025

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Jul 28, 2025♌ 7
Finest NGC 91 / NGC 6369 · Little Ghost Nebula — Telescope 11 — Southern Summer
Rastaban (β Dra) — Naked eye 3 — Northern Summer
α Ara — Naked eye 3 — Southern Summer
Tue, Jul 29, 2025♌ 8
Shaula (λ Sco) — Naked eye 2 — Southern Summer
Rasalhague (α Oph) — Naked eye 2 — Tropical Summer
Wed, Jul 30, 2025♌ 9
Sargas (θ Sco) — Naked eye 2 — Southern Summer
M14 — Telescope 8 — Tropical Summer
Thu, Jul 31, 2025♌ 10
M6 — Telescope 4 — Southern Summer
C86 / NGC 6397 — Telescope 6 — Southern Summer
κ Sco — Naked eye 2 — Southern Summer
Cebalrai (β Oph) — Naked eye 3 — Tropical Summer
Fri, Aug 1, 2025♌ 11
🌓 First Quarter — 12:41:19 UTC
Sat, Aug 2, 2025♌ 12
Finest NGC 102 / NGC 6445 · He 2-290 — Telescope 13 — Tropical Summer
Finest NGC 88 / NGC 6503 · MCG 12-17-9 — Telescope 11 — Arctic Summer
Sun, Aug 3, 2025♌ 13
M7 — Telescope 3 — Southern Summer

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins July 28, 2025, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♌︎ 5°12′
β −0°00′		♍︎ 14°32′
β +0°24′		♌︎ 11°55′
β −4°52′		♊︎ 26°21′
β −1°43′		♍︎ 23°51′
β +0°40′		♋︎ 10°51′
β −0°05′		♈︎ 1°45′
β −2°21′
ObservingNightNaked eye -7.4☉︎Naked eye -4.0Naked eye 1.6Naked eye -1.9Naked eye 0.8
Rise04:3408:0405:2701:3708:5202:3321:43
Set19:2621:0319:1716:5121:2418:0109:37

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♈︎ 16°10′
β −12°36′		♊︎ 0°48′
β −0°13′		♈︎ 2°02′
β −1°21′		♒︎ 2°32′
β −3°45′
ObservingTelescope 8.7Binoculars 5.8Telescope 7.7TelescopeTelescope 14.4
Rise23:0723:5521:3919:31
Set10:3014:5409:4004:14

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-23 13:14:52 UTC

View:

ISO 2025-W31 runs from July 28 through August 3. Saturn and Neptune are separated by about 0.3° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus is about 3.8° in ecliptic longitude from Elnath in Taurus.

Naked eye: 🌓 First Quarter — 12:41:19 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Rastaban, α Ara, Shaula, Rasalhague, Sargas, Kappa Scorpii, Cebalrai as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Rastaban: The Bright Star of Draco's Lozenge — A detailed overview of Rastaban, a prominent star in the constellation Draco, highlighting its astronomical significance and role within the Lozenge asterism.

Alpha Ara: The Bright Gem of the Ara Constellation — An overview of the notable star Alpha Ara, its characteristics, and its place in the night sky.

Shaula: The Bright Star at the Fishhook of Scorpius — An in-depth look at one of the prominent stars shaping the iconic Scorpius constellation.

Rasalhague: The Mighty Star of Ophiuchus — An enduring beacon in the realm of the night sky, Rasalhague offers astronomers both amateur and expert a glimpse into the cosmos' luminous wonders.

Sargas: The Bright Star of Scorpius's Fishhook — A luminous giant star marking the distinctive asterism in the constellation Scorpius.

Kappa Scorpii: A Bright Beacon in the Scorpius Constellation — An overview of Kappa Scorpii, its characteristics, and significance within the mythological and celestial landscape of Scorpius.

Cebalrai: A Bright Beacon in Oph — Discover the constellation's notable star and its significance in the night sky.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -7.4; direct motion; 11.4% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Mars in ecliptic longitude Jul 28 18:42 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude 4.3; retrograde motion; 2.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Jul 31 23:41 UTC. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.0; direct motion; 73.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 1.6; direct motion; 94.1% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jul 28 18:42 UTC. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.7; direct motion; 97.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -1.9; direct motion; 99.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.8; retrograde motion; 99.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.4; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Binoculars: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified for binocular observing this week.

Small telescope: Little Ghost Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M14: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Butterfly Cluster: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 6397: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; He 2-290: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 12-17-9: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Ptolemy's Cluster: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

The Little Ghost Nebula: A Serene Beacon in Oph — Discover the striking features of a planetary nebula that whispers tales of stellar evolution.

M14: A Dazzling Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus — An enduring target for astronomers, M14 offers a glimpse into the universe's ancient stellar populations.

The Butterfly Cluster: A Stellar Jewel in Scorpius — An overview of one of the most stunning open clusters visible to amateur astronomers, M6.

A Magnificent Globular Cluster in Ara: Caldwell 86 — An enduring celestial marvel showcasing the grandeur of the universe’s ancient stellar populations.

He 2-290: A Faint Glow in Sagittarius’s Wilderness — Exploring the characteristics and significance of a distant planetary nebula in the heart of Sagittarius.

Unveiling MCG 12-17-9: A Distant Galaxy in Draco — Discover the intriguing galaxy MCG 12-17-9, a distant celestial object that sparks curiosity among astronomers and stargazers alike.

Ptolemy's Cluster: A Stellar Open Cluster in Scorpius — An enduring celestial gathering visible to the naked eye, offering a glimpse into the universe's stellar formations.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 05:27; sets 19:17 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 4.3. The disk is 2.8% illuminated (crescent). It is 8.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.681° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 2.1° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Jul 31 23:41 UTC. Mercury: 2.1° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 23.3° below the horizon. Rises 01:37; sets 16:51 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.0. The disk is 73.8% illuminated (gibbous). It is 38.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.151° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Elnath, 7.9° away. Venus: 7.9° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 0.0° above the horizon. Rises 08:04; sets 21:03 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -7.4. The disk is 11.4% illuminated (waxing crescent). It is 39.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 12.686° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 13.0° away. Conjunction with Mars in ecliptic longitude Jul 28 18:42 UTC. Moon: 13.0° from Zavijava in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 3.7° above the horizon. Rises 08:52; sets 21:24 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.6. The disk is 94.1% illuminated (gibbous). It is 48.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.612° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 3.7° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jul 28 18:42 UTC. Mars: 3.7° from Zavijava in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 19.8° below the horizon. Rises 02:33; sets 18:01 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.9. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 24.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.217° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 6.8° away. Jupiter: 6.8° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 8.2° below the horizon. Rises 21:43; sets 09:37 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.8. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 123.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.025° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 17.1° away. Neptune is 1.1° away at the snapshot. Saturn: 17.1° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 21.4° below the horizon. Rises 23:55; sets 14:54 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 64.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.032° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 10.7° away. Uranus: 10.7° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 7.4° below the horizon. Rises 21:39; sets 09:40 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 123.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.012° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.7° away. Saturn is 1.1° away at the snapshot. Neptune: 16.7° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 22.9° below the horizon. Rises 23:07; sets 10:30 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.7. The disk is 97.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 108.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.084° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 13.8° away. Ceres: 13.8° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 11.2° above the horizon. Rises 19:31; sets 04:14 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.4. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 175.4° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.024° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.6° away. Pluto: 8.6° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.