Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2025-W32

Week begins: Monday, August 4, 2025

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Aug 4, 2025♌ 14
Eltanin (γ Dra) — Naked eye 2 — Northern Summer
M23 — Telescope 7 — Tropical Summer
Barnard's Star — Telescope — Tropical Summer
Finest NGC 89 / NGC 6543 · Cat's Eye Nebula / C6 / NGC 6543 · Cat's Eye Nebula — Telescope 8 — Arctic Summer
Tue, Aug 5, 2025♌ 15
M20 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Summer
Wed, Aug 6, 2025♌ 16
Finest NGC 103 / NGC 6520 · Collinder 361 — Telescope 8 — Southern Summer
M8 — Telescope 6 — Southern Summer
M21 — Telescope 7 — Tropical Summer
Thu, Aug 7, 2025♌ 17
Lughnasadh · Summer–Autumn midpoint — 05:51:35 UTC
C78 / NGC 6541 — Telescope 7 — Southern Summer
Fri, Aug 8, 2025♌ 18
Finest NGC 92 / NGC 6572 · Blue Racquetball — Telescope 8 — Tropical Summer
Sat, Aug 9, 2025♌ 19
🌕 Full Moon · Grain Moon — 07:55:04 UTC
M24 — Telescope 5 — Tropical Summer
Sun, Aug 10, 2025♌ 20
M16 — Telescope 6 — Tropical Summer
M18 — Telescope 8 — Tropical Summer
M17 — Telescope 7 — Tropical Summer

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins August 4, 2025, 00:00 UTC.

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

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♌︎ 11°54′
β −0°00′		♐︎ 9°01′
β −5°06′		♌︎ 6°53′
β −4°41′		♋︎ 4°27′
β −1°22′		♍︎ 28°09′
β +0°35′		♋︎ 12°21′
β −0°05′		♈︎ 1°32′
β −2°23′
ObservingNightNaked eye -10.9☉︎Naked eye -4.0Naked eye 1.6Naked eye -1.9Naked eye 0.8
Rise04:4215:2504:3301:4208:4802:1321:16
Set19:1823:3118:3717:0121:0617:4009:08

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♈︎ 16°37′
β −13°02′		♊︎ 1°00′
β −0°13′		♈︎ 1°56′
β −1°21′		♒︎ 2°22′
β −3°46′
ObservingTelescope 8.6Binoculars 5.8Telescope 7.7TelescopeTelescope 14.4
Rise22:4323:2921:1119:03
Set10:0414:2809:1303:46

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 13:37:03 UTC

View:

ISO 2025-W32 runs from August 4 through August 10. Saturn and Neptune are separated by about 0.4° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Naked eye: 🌕 Full Moon · Grain Moon — 07:55:04 UTC. Bright moonlight favors prominent stars and planets while reducing contrast on faint deep-sky objects. Use Eltanin as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Eltanin: The Bright Star at the Heart of Draco — A prominent star marking the lozenge shape of the Draco constellation, rich in history and celestial significance.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -10.9; direct motion; 72.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Aug 09 07:55 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Aug 08 05:25 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude 4.7; retrograde motion; 2.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.0; direct motion; 76.1% 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; 94.5% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.6; direct motion; 97.5% 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. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 08 05:25 UTC.

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

Small telescope: M23: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Cat's Eye Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Trifid Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Collinder 361: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Lagoon Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M21: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 6541: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Blue Racquetball: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Eagle Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M18: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Omega Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

M23: The Sagittarius Open Cluster’s Stellar Assembly — A luminous gathering of stars in the heart of the Milky Way's rich constellation of Sagittarius.

The Enigmatic Beauty of the Cat's Eye Nebula in Draco — A detailed look at one of the most captivating planetary nebulae in the northern constellation Draco, known for its intricate structure and historical significance.

The Trifid Nebula: A Stellar Dark Cloud in Sagittarius — An exploration of the iconic star-forming region distinguished by its striking appearance and complex structure.

Collinder 361: A Noteworthy Open Cluster in Sagittarius — An exploration of the characteristics and significance of this celestial gathering.

Lagoon Nebula: A Stellar Nursery in Sagittarius — Discover the awe-inspiring beauty and significance of this prominent dark nebula in the heart of the Milky Way.

M21: A Bright Open Cluster in Sagittarius — Discover the luminous beauty and celestial significance of Messier 21, a striking open cluster nestled in the constellation Sagittarius.

The Intriguing Globular Cluster in Corona Australis — A closer look at Caldwell 78, a captivating globular cluster nestled in the constellation Corona Australis.

Blue Racquetball: A Stunning Planetary Nebula in Ophiuchus — An exploration of the celestial beauty and scientific significance of the Blue Racquetball, a fascinating planetary nebula in the constellation Ophiuchus.

Unearthing the Mysteries of the Eagle Nebula in Serpens — A detailed look at this iconic celestial cloud, its structure, and its significance to astronomy.

M18: The Sparkling Jewel of Sagittarius — An open cluster that offers a glimpse into stellar formation within our galaxy.

Omega Nebula: A Celestial Nursery in Sagittarius — Discover the beauty and significance of the Omega Nebula, a prominent dark nebula within the constellation Sagittarius.

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 04:33; sets 18:37 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 4.7. The disk is 2.2% illuminated (crescent). It is 6.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.646° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Tarf, 6.0° away. Mercury: 6.0° from Tarf 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 22.8° below the horizon. Rises 01:42; sets 17:01 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.0. The disk is 76.1% illuminated (gibbous). It is 37.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 1.162° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 7.3° away. Venus: 7.3° from Alhena 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 15.2° above the horizon. Rises 15:25; sets 23:31 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -10.9. The disk is 72.8% illuminated (waxing gibbous). It is 117.0° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 12.083° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Antares, 1.2° away. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Aug 09 07:55 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Aug 08 05:25 UTC. Moon: 1.2° from Antares 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 0.4° above the horizon. Rises 08:48; sets 21:06 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.6. The disk is 94.5% illuminated (gibbous). It is 46.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.619° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 0.6° away. Mars: 0.6° 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 21.0° below the horizon. Rises 02:13; sets 17:40 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.9. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 29.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.212° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 7.3° away. Jupiter: 7.3° 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 3.4° below the horizon. Rises 21:16; sets 09:08 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.8. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 130.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.036° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 17.0° away. Neptune is 1.1° away at the snapshot. Saturn: 17.0° 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 19.3° below the horizon. Rises 23:29; sets 14:28 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 70.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.027° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 10.5° away. Uranus: 10.5° 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 2.5° below the horizon. Rises 21:11; sets 09:13 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 129.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.015° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 16.6° away. Saturn is 1.1° away at the snapshot. Neptune: 16.6° 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 18.8° below the horizon. Rises 22:43; sets 10:04 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.6. The disk is 97.5% illuminated (gibbous). It is 114.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.046° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 13.5° away. Ceres: 13.5° 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 14.1° above the horizon. Rises 19:03; sets 03:46 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.4. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 169.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.023° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.6° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 08 05:25 UTC. Pluto: 8.6° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.