Anza-Borrego Desert Stargazing Forecast – July 2025
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A Month of Moonlit Wonders, Planetary Pairings, and Desert Night Sky Events
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park, offers some of the darkest night skies in Southern California—making it an exceptional destination for astronomy enthusiasts. In July 2025, visitors can expect a series of striking lunar events that are both easy to observe and photograph, whether you're an experienced stargazer or simply looking up for the first time.
Here are the key lunar highlights for the month.
July 10 – Buck Moon at Peak
The full moon reaches its peak illumination at 1:36 p.m. PDT on July 10. It rises at sunset on the 9th and sets at dawn on the 11th, offering excellent conditions for moonlit photography and nighttime exploration. Known as the Buck Moon, it coincides with the time of year when deer begin to regrow their antlers.
July 16–17 – Lunar Passage by Saturn and Neptune
In the early hours before dawn on both July 16 and 17, the Moon will move through a tight configuration with Saturn and Neptune low in the southeastern sky. Saturn will be prominently visible, while Neptune—though fainter—can be spotted with binoculars. The alignment creates a compact triangle of celestial bodies ideal for dedicated observers.
July 28 – Crescent Moon Meets Mars
Shortly after sunset on July 28, the waxing crescent Moon will appear close to Mars in the western sky. The two bodies will be separated by less than one degree, creating a striking visual pairing best seen through binoculars or framed in wide-angle landscape shots. Twilight offers the ideal window for viewing.
Time and Date – Astronomy
Provides accurate moonrise/set times, planet visibility calendars, and conjunction maps
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