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Buck Moon Leads Dazzling Planet Parade on July 29
Space.com: Pre-Dawn Planetary Parade & Full "Buck Moon" Viewing Guide
Key Event: A pre-dawn planetary parade featuring the Moon, Mercury, and Saturn (trailing the Moon in an arc across the southern sky), followed by the rising of the full "Buck Moon" at sunset.
When & Where to Look
| Time | Direction | What to See |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-dawn (Before Sunrise) | East / Southeast | Moon, Saturn, & Mercury rising in a "majestic arc" from East to West. Saturn leads the Moon; Mercury trails lower on the horizon. |
| Sunset | Southeastern Horizon | Full "Buck Moon" rising. (Correction: Look Southeast, not Southwest). |
Best Viewing Window: Predawn hours for the planetary lineup; Sunset for the Full Buck Moon rise (Correction: Look Southeast, not Southwest).
The Celestial Lineup (Pre-Dawn)
- Saturn: Leads the parade, rising first in the East/Southeast.
- The Moon: Follows Saturn in a "ponderous path" across the southern sky.
- Mercury: Trails the Moon, lower on the eastern horizon (harder to spot due to twilight glare).
- Note: Jupiter and Mars are also mentioned in the broader summer sky context but the pre-dawn "arc" highlights Moon-Saturn-Mercury.
Photography Guides & Gear
- Guide: How to Photograph the Planets
- Guide: How to Photograph the Moon
- Roundup: Best Cameras & Lenses for Astrophotography
Submit Your Photos: Send images, comments, name, and location to spacephotos@space.com for a chance to be featured.
Important Correction (July 29)
Correction: Look to the southeastern horizon at sunset to catch the full Buck Moon. Previous guidance incorrectly stated the southwestern horizon.
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spacephotos@space.com
