Best Astrophotography Dates in July 2025: Night Sky Calendar
- Ryan Oswald
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
What to shoot in the night sky in July 2025
Your go to guide for astrophotography this month. See key dates, moon phases and the best times to shoot the Milky Way and meteor showers.
Top Astrophotography Nights – July 2025
Best Milky Way: July 1-5, 24–31
Meteor Shower Peak: July 29-30 (Southern delta Aquariids)
🌕 Full Moon: July 10 | 🌑 New Moon: July 24
SOUTHERN DELTA AQUARIIDS METEOR SHOWER
Peak Night: July 29-30
Active Window: July 18 - August 12, 2025
Best Time to Shoot: 3:00am to pre-dawn
Expected Rate: ~15-20 meteors per hour
FULL MOON
Peak Night: July 10
Best Time to Shoot: After Sunset on July 10
Direction in Sky: Rising in South East
DAYS YOU CAN SHOOT THE MILKY WAY THIS MONTH
21
July 1st - 5th & July 24th - 31st are the ideal nights with the darkest skies for longest time period.
July 6th - 17th may have 2 hours of dark enough skies, but you're battling the moon these nights.
MILKY WAY CORE VISIBILITY
MILKY WAY RISE | MILKY WAY RISE | 10:40PM |
MILKY WAY SET | MILKY WAY SET | 4:00AM |
DIRECTION | DIRECTION | S → SW |
*APPROXIMATE MILKY WAY INFO (BASED ON MOAB LOCATION)
MOON PHASES
🌕
FULL MOON
JULY 10
🌑
NEW MOON
JULY 24
TIPS & GUIDES
Want better meteor shots? Check out our Meteor Shower Shooting Guide
Join our New Mexico Bisti Badlands
Astrophotography Workshop!
If you’ve ever wanted to master astrophotography...this is it.
September 16-21, 2025
Gear up for an overland photo adventure into the heart of the Bisti Badlands. Over six unforgettable days, you’ll:
Explore sacred Navajo country with a local guide
Capture iconic sandstone formations during that perfect golden hour and blue hour light
Camp under pure, dark skies for Milky Way photography
This isn’t just a workshop, it’s an immersive Southwest adventure you’ll be talking about for years.
WANT MONTHLY ALERTS LIKE THIS? JOIN THE NIGHT SKY WATCH LIST.
FAQ: Astrophotography in July 2025
What nights are best to shoot the Milky Way in July 2025?
The best nights to photograph the Milky Way in July 2025 are July 1-5 and July 18–31, when moonlight won’t interfere with dark skies. These dates offer the clearest view of the galactic core from 10:40 PM to 4:00 AM
How can I photograph the Southern delta Aquariids Meteor Shower?
The Aquariid Meteor Shower peaks July 29-30, with the best viewing between 3:00 AM and dawn. Use a wide-angle lens, high ISO (6400+), and a 10-20 second shutter to capture meteors. Shooting under dark skies with minimal moonlight will increase your chances of catching 15-20 meteors per hour.
When is the full moon and how does it affect night sky photography?
The full moon occurs on July 10, rising in the southeast. While it provides stunning opportunities for moonrise photography, it also washes out the night sky, making it harder to capture stars, the Milky Way, or meteors. Plan Milky Way shoots for dates outside the full moon window.
What direction does the Milky Way rise in July?
In May, the Milky Way rises in the southeast around 10:40 PM and sets in the southwest by 4:00 AM. To shoot the core, face S → SW during those hours. Foreground interest (arches, trees, mountains) helps enhance your night compositions.
Coming Up in August…
Perseids Meteor Shower
Lots of Milky Way Nights
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