Mercury appears low in the western sky in June after sunset. Mercury appears lower through the month and disappears by the end of June. Mercury reappears in the predawn eastern sky in July. Mercury will disappear in the early August predawn sky. Mercury looks like a small white star just above the horizon.

Venus can be seen after sunset shining brightly as the “Evening Star” in the western sky. Venus moves closer to the sun after June 9th, so it appears a little lower every evening. Venus passes through Gemini (the Twins) in June and aligns with Castor and Pollux on the 30th. Venus passes Saturn on July 1st. Venus disappears by August. Venus is the brightest object in the night sky except for the moon. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mars can be seen in the east-northeastern predawn sky in June passing through the constellation Aries (the Ram). In July, Mars can be seen rising 2 hours after midnight as it enters Taurus (the Bull). In August, Mars rises earlier and nears the Hyades star cluster (the V-shaped face of Taurus) by the end of the month. Mars looks like an orange-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen rising in the southeastern sky after sunset in the constellation Ophiuchus (the Serpent-Bearer). Jupiter can be seen passing medium-low through the southern sky. It’s the best planet to view as it’s visible all summer long. In August, Jupiter sets an hour after midnight. Jupiter is very bright and looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Saturn can be seen in the western sky after sunset in the constellation Leo (the Lion), in front of the backward question mark. Saturn appears lower throughout July and disappears in the sun’s glare by August. Saturn looks like a very bright, amber-colored star.