Science/Astronomy:

* Moon to Hide Star Cluster Early July 20

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/060714_night_sky.html

If you live anywhere in the eastern half of North America and clear skies are
forecast for early on Thursday morning, July 20, then be sure to be outside
sometime between midnight and dawn and look for the thin crescent Moon
hanging low in the east-northeast sky.

==== IN THE SKY THIS WEEK ===

The Last Quarter Moon is Tuesday July 18. In the early evening (6:00-7:00
pm local time) you can see ruddy Mars and golden Saturn lined up line just
above the north-western horizon. During the week Mars comes closer to
bright Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. Jupiter is the brightest object
high in the northern evening sky, ideally suited for binoculars or small
telescopes to watch the dance of its Moons. In the dawn sky bright Venus is
seen above the north-eastern horizon. For further information see:

http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm

Martian delight

This month, Mars wouldn't be worth a second thought if not for its close conjunction with the bright star Regulus July 21/22. On this night, the planet stands a mere 41' to the upper right of Regulus. Binocular and low-power-telescopic views of the pair will reveal a memorable color difference. Mars, with its reddish hue, contrasts beautifully with the blue-white star. One night later, Mars has moved noticeably relative to Regulus and then stands 44' almost directly above the star.

Mars currently lies on the far side of the Sun from Earth. The Red Planet's tiny globe appears only 4" across, too small to show any features. Mark your calendars for July 27, when the 8-percent-illuminated crescent Moon joins Mars and Regulus low in the western sky. Each object lies less than 4° from its neighbor, creating a scenic highlight for sky photographers.