Mercury reaches its greatest elongation, 26 degrees east of the sun on July 4. From latitude 40 degrees north, the +0.6-magnitude planet is low in the west-northwest and sets during twilight about 1.5 hours after sunset, and only an hour after the sun on July 12 when the planet will be of magnitude +1.2.

Observing the night sky can be done with no special equipment, although a sky map can be very useful, and a good telescope or binoculars will enhance some experiences and bring some otherwise invisible objects into view.

Nearly a week after Fourth of July fireworks illuminate the sky, the so-called Buck Moon will rise on July 10. The name dates back to the Maine Farmers’ Almanac, which assigned “Indian” names to full moons,