THE phases of the Moon start in July with last quarter on July 4 and New Moon then occurs on the July 11. First quarter is then on July 18 and Full Moon occurs on July 26.

Mercury is not visible this month. Venus is visible at the beginning of this month when, on July 7, it will be visible alongside a crescent Moon, Mars and Saturn – a must for those who like to photograph sky events.

Mars is visible as soon as the Sun sets close to the western horizon. Its distinctive red colour marks it out.

Jupiter rises on the eastern horizon just before 11pm. A small telescope or a good, large pair of binoculars will show the four largest moons of Jupiter. These moons are named Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto after consorts of the mythological god and are collectively known as the Galilean Satellites because they were all discovered by Galileo in the early 1600s.

Currently, the planet’s appearance has altered as one of its bands has faded in colour and is no longer visible.

Saturn is near to Mars, Compare its yellowish colour to the red of Mars. Saturn’s rings are now opening slightly and are a magnificent sight even in a small telescope. Uranus and Neptune are both lost in the morning twilight this month.

The Delta Aquarid Meteor shower has a maximum on July 28.

This is close to the Full Moon so will be an unfavourable view as there will be too much bright moonlight drowning out many of the predicted meteors.

You can see the objects mentioned above and find out more with the Basingstoke Astronomical Society. Their next meeting is on July 23, when Alan Bond, of Reaction Engines Ltd (the engineering firm seeking to build the British re-usable space plane “Skylon”) will be speaking on “Future Space Exploration and the Path to the Planets”.

All meetings are held at Cliddesden Primary School at 7pm.

Details are on the society website at www.basingtokeas.org.uk.