ISO 2026-W31
Week begins: Monday, July 27, 2026
Calendar
| Date | Zodiac day | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jul 27, 2026 | ♌ 6 | β Ara —  3 2.8 — Southern SummerC81 / NGC 6352 —  8 8.1 — Southern Summer |
| Tue, Jul 28, 2026 | ♌ 7 | Finest NGC 91 / NGC 6369 · Little Ghost Nebula — 11 11.0 — Southern SummerRastaban (β Dra) — 3 2.8 — Northern Summer |
| Wed, Jul 29, 2026 | ♌ 8 | 🌕 Full Moon · Grain Moon — 14:35:43 UTC α Ara — 3 2.8 — Southern SummerShaula (λ Sco) — Var 2 1.6 1.6–1.7 — Southern SummerRasalhague (α Oph) — 2 2.1 — Tropical Summer |
| Thu, Jul 30, 2026 | ♌ 9 | Sargas (θ Sco) — 2 1.9 — Southern SummerM14 — 8 7.6 — Tropical Summer |
| Fri, Jul 31, 2026 | ♌ 10 | M6 — 4 4.2 — Southern SummerC86 / NGC 6397 — 6 5.6 — Southern Summerκ Sco — Var 2 2.4 2.41–2.42 — Southern Summer |
| Sat, Aug 1, 2026 | ♌ 11 | Cebalrai (β Oph) — 3 2.8 — Tropical Summer |
| Sun, Aug 2, 2026 | ♌ 12 | Finest NGC 102 / NGC 6445 · He 2-290 — 13 13.0 — Tropical SummerFinest NGC 88 / NGC 6503 · MCG 12-17-9 — 11 10.8 — Arctic Summer |
Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris
Snapshot: Week begins July 27, 2026, 00:00 UTC.
(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)
| Body | ☉︎ | ☽︎ | ☿︎ | ♀︎ | ♂︎ | ♃︎ | ♄︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♌︎ 4°01′ β −0°00′ | ♑︎ 5°05′ β −4°16′ | ♋︎ 16°46′ β −3°24′ | ♍︎ 18°49′ β +0°23′ | ♊︎ 19°41′ β +0°02′ | ♌︎ 5°51′ β +0°28′ | ♈︎ 14°45′ β −2°30′ |
| Observing |  | -11.8 | ☉︎ | -4.2 | 1.3 | ☉︎ | 0.7 |
| Rise | 04:32 | 17:59 | 03:21 | 08:31 | 01:05 | 04:42 | 22:16 |
| Set | 19:28 | 01:55 | 18:10 | 21:17 | 16:34 | 19:34 | 10:50 |
Extended targets:
| Body | ⚳︎ | ♅︎ | ♆︎ | ♇︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecliptic | ♊︎ 23°43′ β −1°36′ | ♊︎ 4°50′ β −0°09′ | ♈︎ 4°19′ β −1°23′ | ♒︎ 4°18′ β −4°16′ |
| Observing | 9.0 |  5.8 | 7.7 | 14.4 |
| Rise | 01:30 | 00:13 | 21:49 | 19:44 |
| Set | 16:45 | 15:20 | 09:57 | 04:27 |
β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.
Planet Finder
Sky Notes
Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-12 08:19:32 UTC
ISO 2026-W31 runs from July 27 through August 2. Ceres is about 1.1° in ecliptic longitude from Elnath in Taurus. Mars is about 2.9° in ecliptic longitude from Elnath in Taurus.
Naked eye: 🌕 Full Moon · Grain Moon — 14:35:43 UTC. Bright moonlight favors prominent stars and planets while reducing contrast on faint deep-sky objects. Use β Ara, Rastaban, α Ara, Shaula, Rasalhague, Sargas, Kappa Scorpii, Cebalrai as the week’s fixed-sky framework.
Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -11.8; direct motion; 93.7% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 14:35 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 10:08 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude 1.2; direct motion; 20.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.2; direct motion; 58.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 1.3; direct motion; 93.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 9.0; direct motion; 98.5% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: In solar glare; magnitude -1.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 12:17 UTC. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; retrograde motion; 99.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.4; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Jul 27 06:55 UTC. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 10:08 UTC.
Binoculars: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified for binocular observing this week.
Small telescope: NGC 6352: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Little Ghost Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M14: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Butterfly Cluster: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 6397: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; He 2-290: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; MCG 12-17-9: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance
Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.
Other objects listed this week: None
Mercury
Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 03:21; sets 18:10 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.2. The disk is 20.0% illuminated (crescent). It is 17.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.298° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 8.0° away. Mercury: 8.0° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 2.5° above the horizon. Rises 08:31; sets 21:17 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.2. The disk is 58.2% illuminated (gibbous). It is 44.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.059° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 8.7° away. Venus: 8.7° from Zavijava in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 16.2° above the horizon. Rises 17:59; sets 01:55 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -11.8. The disk is 93.7% illuminated (waxing gibbous). It is 150.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 11.917° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Kaus Australis, 6.8° away. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 14:35 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 10:08 UTC. Moon: 6.8° from Kaus Australis in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 21.9° below the horizon. Rises 01:05; sets 16:34 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.3. The disk is 93.8% illuminated (gibbous). It is 44.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.682° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Elnath, 6.3° away. Ceres is 4.4° away at the snapshot. Mars: 6.3° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
Jupiter: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 04:42; sets 19:34 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 1.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.222° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 9.9° away. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 12:17 UTC. Jupiter: 9.9° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 13.7° below the horizon. Rises 22:16; sets 10:50 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.7. The disk is 99.7% illuminated (nearly full). It is 109.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.000° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 16.3° away. Saturn: 16.3° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 22.0° below the horizon. Rises 00:13; sets 15:20 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 59.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.036° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 7.5° away. Uranus: 7.5° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 9.1° below the horizon. Rises 21:49; sets 09:57 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 119.7° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.010° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 18.5° away. Neptune: 18.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 23.3° below the horizon. Rises 01:30; sets 16:45 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 9.0. The disk is 98.5% illuminated (gibbous). It is 40.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.386° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Elnath, 7.0° away. Mars is 4.4° away at the snapshot. Ceres: 7.0° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 9.6° above the horizon. Rises 19:44; sets 04:27 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.4. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 175.7° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.023° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.9° away. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Jul 27 06:55 UTC. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 10:08 UTC. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.
Highlights
Mercury
In solar glare; magnitude 1.2; direct motion; 20.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mercury: 8.0° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.
Venus
Naked eye; magnitude -4.2; direct motion; 58.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: 8.7° from Zavijava in the Pathfinder.
Moon
Naked eye; magnitude -11.8; direct motion; 93.7% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 14:35 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 10:08 UTC. Moon: 6.8° from Kaus Australis in the Pathfinder.
Mars
Naked eye; magnitude 1.3; direct motion; 93.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: 6.3° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.
Jupiter
In solar glare; magnitude -1.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Solar conjunction in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 12:17 UTC. Jupiter: 9.9° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.
Saturn
Naked eye; magnitude 0.7; retrograde motion; 99.7% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: 16.3° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.
Uranus
Binoculars; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: 7.5° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.
Neptune
Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: 18.5° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.
Ceres
Telescope; magnitude 9.0; direct motion; 98.5% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: 7.0° from Elnath in the Pathfinder.
Pluto
Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.4; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Jul 27 06:55 UTC. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jul 29 10:08 UTC. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.