🔭 Astronomical Events

July 20 – 26, 2026

Written by Mia Astrology ✨🌌

The second half of July continues to reward skywatchers. The Moon begins the week as a thin waxing crescent before growing to First Quarter on July 21, leaving several evenings with excellent observing conditions before moonlight starts to brighten the night sky. At the same time, the Milky Way arches high overhead after darkness falls, Saturn becomes easier to observe before sunrise, and the Delta Aquariid meteor shower slowly builds toward its peak later this month.

This is an excellent week for anyone who enjoys a mix of planetary observing, lunar photography, and deep-sky exploration.

🌙 Major Astronomical Highlight

🌓 First Quarter Moon — July 21, 2026

The Moon reaches First Quarter on Tuesday, July 21. At this phase, half of the Moon’s Earth-facing surface is illuminated.

Why this phase is special:

• Craters cast long shadows, making surface detail spectacular through binoculars or a telescope.
• The Moon rises around midday.
• It is highest around sunset.
• It sets close to midnight.

If you’ve never explored the Moon with binoculars, this is one of the very best nights of the month to do it.

🌙 Moon Phase This Week

🌒 Waxing Crescent → 🌓 First Quarter → 🌔 Waxing Gibbous

July 20

• Thin waxing crescent after sunset
• Dark evening skies continue

July 21

🌓 First Quarter Moon

Excellent for lunar observing.

July 22–26

• Waxing gibbous Moon
• Moon rises later each afternoon
• Evenings become progressively brighter

Although moonlight increases later in the week, there is still plenty to see before the Moon climbs high into the sky.

🌌 Deep-Sky Highlights

⭐ Best nights: July 20–23

Northern Hemisphere:

• 🌌 M13 Globular Cluster
• 🌌 M92
• 🌌 Ring Nebula (M57)
• 🌌 Dumbbell Nebula (M27)
• 🌌 Lagoon Nebula (M8)
• 🌌 Trifid Nebula (M20)
• 🌌 Albireo, one of the sky’s most beautiful double stars
• 🌌 The Summer Triangle dominates the eastern sky.

Southern Hemisphere:

• 🌌 Milky Way Core
• 🌌 Omega Centauri
• 🌌 Eta Carinae Nebula
• 🌌 Southern Cross

Dark skies early in the week still provide excellent opportunities for Milky Way photography before the Moon becomes brighter.

☄️ Meteor Activity

The Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower continues increasing in activity as it approaches its peak at the end of July.

Although meteor numbers remain modest this week, observers under dark skies may spot:

• Fast-moving meteors
• Bright fireballs
• Sporadic meteors crossing the Milky Way

Best viewing:

Midnight until dawn

The second half of the night always offers the highest meteor rates.

🪐 Planet Watch

🌇 After Sunset (Western Sky)

Look toward the western horizon shortly after sunset for:

• Venus shining brilliantly in evening twilight.
• Jupiter low in the western sky.
• The waxing Moon becoming a beautiful companion during the week.

Best viewing:

30–60 minutes after sunset

🌅 Before Sunrise (Eastern Sky)

Morning observers can enjoy:

• Saturn, now climbing noticeably higher before dawn.
• The Milky Way stretching overhead.
• Excellent dark skies during the early part of the week.

Best viewing:

60–90 minutes before sunrise.

🌍 Local Viewing Times

🇺🇸 United States

Evening

• Eastern: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Central: 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
• Mountain: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Pacific: 8:15 PM – 10:15 PM

Before Sunrise

3:45 AM – 5:45 AM

⭐ Best observing:
July 20–23

🇨🇦 Canada

Evening

• Atlantic: 9:20 PM – 11:10 PM
• Eastern: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Central: 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
• Mountain: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Pacific: 8:15 PM – 10:15 PM

Twilight continues shortening, providing longer observing windows.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom (BST)

Evening

9:30 PM – 11:30 PM BST

True darkness continues arriving earlier than it did in June, making this a rewarding week for British skywatchers.

🇦🇺 Australia

Winter skies remain superb.

Evening

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Before Sunrise

5:00 AM – 6:30 AM

The Milky Way continues to dominate the winter sky.

🗓 Week At A Glance

Date	Event
July 20	Dark waxing crescent evening
July 21	🌓 First Quarter Moon
July 20–23	Best Milky Way viewing
July 22–26	Waxing gibbous Moon brightens evenings
All week	Delta Aquariid activity gradually increases

🌠 How To Make the Most of This Week

✔ Observe the Moon through binoculars on July 21 for dramatic crater shadows.

✔ Photograph the Milky Way early in the week before moonlight becomes stronger.

✔ Look for Albireo, one of the sky’s most beautiful double stars.

✔ Wake before sunrise to enjoy Saturn climbing higher into the morning sky.

✔ Spend a little time simply looking up. July has a way of reminding us how incredibly rich the night sky becomes once we leave bright city lights behind.