The sky in July and August

Natural History, July-August, 2006 by Joe Rao

Earth reaches aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun, on July 3 at 7 P.M.; the two bodies will be 94,507,915 miles apart.

The Perseids are one of the most active and reliable meteor displays of the year. Unfortunately, the bright light of a waning gibbous Moon--four days past full--will largely spoil this year's Perseid show. The show peaks on the morning of August 13. You might want to watch anyway, because even in the brightest moonlight a brilliant Perseid fireball occasionally blazes across the sky. The best time to watch is between midnight and dawn. Lie down and gaze at the part of the sky directly away from the Moon.

Unless otherwise noted, all times are given in eastern daylight time.