Sky Guide July 2023

Constellations are groups of stars that represent mythological figures, fanciful beasts or old scientific instruments. Some have been used for millennia as a tool to share significant cultural stories and to track the passage of the weeks and months. Today, they also help astronomers delineate portions of the sky and locate astronomical objects. In July, in the early evening, the following constellations dominate the sky.

Scorpius Appearing high in the eastern sky Scorpius, the Scorpion, is one of the brightest and most easily identifiable constellations. Recognisable by its hooked tail and the red supergiant star Antares at its heart, Scorpius really looks like its namesake unlike most constellations. In Greek mythology, the scorpion plays a role in many stories, however it is best known for its pursuit of Orion, the Hunter, across the night sky.

Sagittarius Also known as the Archer, this centaur is found in the eastern sky below the tail of Scorpius on July evenings. In Greek mythology, Sagittarius points his arrow towards the heart of Scorpius. However, to many this constellation looks more like a teapot.

Virgo This giant constellation of the maiden is found in the north-western sky. It can be most easily found by locating the constellation’s brightest star, Spica. The rest of the figure is composed of relatively faint stars and looks little like a maiden.