📝 Steven Burr
The Moon
On the 2nd of July, we have a first quarter moon followed by the moon passing within a degree of Spica, Virgo’s brightest star, on the 3rd. Look to the south right after sunset to observe this close transient. The Full Buck Moon arrives on the 10th of July. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the name stems from the name has its origins in the fact that the buck’s antlers are in full growth. Other names for this full moon include: Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Feather Moulting Moon (Cree), and Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee). On the 18th of the month, we have the last quarter moon, and on the 24th a new moon.
The Planets
Venus continues to rise higher in the eastern sky prior to sunrise. Mars is still visible just after sunset, but will become difficult to observe in the sun’s twilight by the end of the month. On the 28th of July, Mars and the waxing crescent moon will pass close to each other shortly after sunset. Look to the west just above the horizon to observe this conjunction. By midmonth, Jupiter becomes a morning sky object just visible above the horizon prior to sunrise. Saturn is now becoming an evening planet, rising near midnight.
Constellation Virgo
Virgo Urania's, Mirror 1825
The constellation Virgo, Latin for virgin/maiden, is the second largest constellation in the night sky. It is located on the ecliptic between Leo to the west and Libra to the east. According to Greek mythology, it is the daughter of Zeus and Themis, whose name was Justice. As an immortal, she lived on earth with humanity, but when humans turned against what was just, she departed earth to live among the stars. The origins of the constellation Virgo can be traced back to the Babylonian constellation Furrow, a goddess bearing an oversized ear of barley, and the constellation Fond, a goddess holding a frond of date palm. It appears, both of these constellations were consolidated into one when the twelve zodiac signs were formulated, giving us Virgo as we see it today. A deep sky object located within the constellation of Virgo is the Virgo cluster of galaxies. This cluster of galaxies forms the centre of the Virgo Supercluster, which includes the Local Group containing our Milky Way galaxy.
Virgo Cluster, Steven Burr
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References (June/July 2025 blog):
Boeckmann, Catherine, Full Moon Names 2025 [online]. Almanac, updated January 2025 [cited 3 January 2025]. Available from: https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-names
Edgar, James S. ed., RASC Observer’s Handbook 2025, ed. by James S. Edgar (Marquis Book Printing, 2024)
Hard, Robin, Eratosthenes & Hyginus: Constellation Myths (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)
Mortillaro, Nicole, RASC 2025 Night Sky Almanac (Richmond Hill: Firefly Books, 2024)
Solstices & Equinoxes for Belleville [online], Timeanddate, [cited 5 January 2025]. Available from: https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/seasons.html?n=1168
White, Gavin, Babylonian Star-Lore: An Illustrated Guide to the Star-Lore & Constellations of Ancient Babylonia (London: Solaria Publications, 2014)
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