JEDDAH: Skywatchers can look forward to a series of remarkable astronomical displays throughout July, as some of the brightest stars and rare celestial phenomena become visible in the night sky, according to the Jeddah Astronomical Society.

Among the month’s highlights are the brilliant stars Vega and Altair, along with the Summer Triangle and the orange-red giant Arcturus, creating ideal conditions for viewing the glowing band of the Milky Way.

Jeddah Astronomical Society President Majed Abu Zahra said the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius will dominate the southern sky, offering observers a clear view toward the central region of the Milky Way Galaxy.

He explained that those observing from locations with minimal light pollution will also have the opportunity to see vast interstellar clouds of dust and gas, including the Coal Sack Nebula, which appears as a dark region against the dense background of stars.

Abu Zahra noted that one of the month’s standout deep-sky objects is the Messier 13 globular cluster in the constellation Hercules. Located more than 25,000 light-years from Earth, the cluster contains hundreds of thousands of stars.

Another notable object visible during July is Omega Centauri, a massive globular cluster containing millions of stars. Astronomers believe it is the remaining core of a dwarf galaxy that merged with the Milky Way long ago.

According to Abu Zahra, July 2026 will offer a rich combination of planetary movements, celestial conjunctions, and exceptional views of the Milky Way and its star clusters, making it an ideal month for astronomy enthusiasts.