July 4, 2025: Look for Mercury, Mars and the gibbous moon after sunset.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 5:21 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 8:29 p.m. CDT. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program.
Related Articles
Venus Summary Article
VENUS AS A MORNING STAR, 2025
Mercury, Greatest Elongation
Mercury reaches greatest elongation this evening. This occurs when the planet appears farthest from the sun. As the planet closest to the central star, it does not venture far from solar brilliance. At the mid-latitudes it always appears during evening or morning twilight and never at midnight like the planets beyond Earth’s orbit.
The planet’s visibility is best when it is near greatest elongation, though its brightness fades during this time. During a morning greatest elongation, the planet brightens as it passes through this visual point.
Begin your search for this elusive planet about 30 minutes after nightfall, when it is nearly 10° above the west-northwest horizon. Appearing as a bright star, use a binocular to see it at this level of evening twilight. If the sky is too bright, continue to look for the next 30 minutes. As the sky darkens further, Mercury is lower, about 5° above the horizon at an hour after sundown.
See Mars and Mercury
Mars is over 20° above the western horizon and over 30° to Mercury’s upper left. The Red Planet marches eastward in front of Leo, 10.0° to Regulus’ upper left, the Lion’s brightest star.
Evening Gibbous Moon
Tonight, the gibbous moon, 71% illuminated, is nearly 15° to Spica’s lower left and 8.5° to the lower right of Zubenelgenubi, Libra’s brightest star. The name means, “the scorpion’s southern claw.” At one time the Scales were part of Scorpius.
Mercury sets 85 minutes after sunset, followed by Mars over 90 minutes later. The moon sets at the southwestern horizon nearly five hours after sunset.
Mercury quickly recedes into bright twilight. In a week, Mars is the lone bright planet in the evening sky.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, August 1: Lammas Day Almanac: Buck Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
August 1, 2026: Lammas Day marks summer’s traditional midpoint. Follow the Buck Moon, Mercury near greatest elongation, brilliant Venus, Mars between Taurus’ horns, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. - 2026, July 31: Mercury Nears Greatest Elongation: How to Find the Elusive Planet Before Sunrise
July 31, 2026: Mercury reaches greatest elongation in two mornings. Learn how to locate the Elusive Planet low in the east-northeast sky before sunrise using a binocular and terrestrial reference points. - 2026, July 30: Planet Highlights – Buck Moon, Saturn, Mars, and Venus
July 30, 2026: The Buck Moon remains bright while Saturn shines before sunrise, Mars approaches Taurus’ horns, and brilliant Venus dominates the western evening sky. - 2026, July 29: Jupiter Begins a New Apparition After Solar Conjunction
July 29, 2026: Jupiter reaches solar conjunction and begins a new morning apparition. Learn when the Jovian Giant returns to view and the key events of its next observing cycle. - 2026, July 28: Orion Returns to the Morning Sky While Mars Approaches Taurus’ Horns
July 28, 2026: Orion reappears in the predawn eastern sky while Mars advances toward Taurus’ horns. Learn where to find the Hunter and follow Mars’ changing position before sunrise.