July 2026 Night Sky Guide: Cygnus, Lyra, Aquila, and a Midsummer Meteor Shower

Each year stargazers look forward to July. By this point in the year, most of the winter constellations have faded away, and the spring constellations are now visible in the west while the summer sky is beginning to come alive in the east.

This July, as Americans light fireworks in preparation for the nation’s 250th trip around the sun, the night skies will deliver their own dazzling displays. Before dawn on Independence Day, the red planet Mars will appear low in the eastern sky near Uranus. If you’re very lucky, you may be able to see both with the naked eye, but a pair of binoculars will help you get a closer look.

In July, the so-called Summer Triangle of bright constellations—Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila—are the easiest to see. All month long, the planet Venus will be bright and visible as the Evening Star appears consistently each night at sunset. There’s also a midsummer meteor shower at the end of the month.

If you’re new to astronomy, there are several consistent summer constellations that you should take note of this month. Keep your eyes heavenward and you could catch these celestial shows.

Cygnus

The Swan is easy to spot flying along the plane of the Milky Way; its brightest star, Deneb, makes up its feathery “tail.”

Lyra

The Harp appears just to the west of Cygnus and can be recognized by its blue glowing anchor in the form of the luminous star Vega, sometimes called the “summer sapphire.”

Aquila

The Eagle can be seen swooping majestically through a large expanse of scattered stars to the south of Cygnus and Lyra. Its most prominent star is the whitish-blue Altair.

Scorpius

The Scorpion appears low on the southern horizon, recognizable by its fishhook shape and glowing reddish-orange heart: the formidable giant star Antares.

Sagittarius

The Archer is situated directly in the center of the Milky Way, just east of Scorpius. Its location makes it ideal for viewing various star clusters, including its brightest asterism, formed from eight stars and shaped like a teapot.