TRAC Monthly Report: July 2026

Astrophotography (AP)

Albireo - Double Star

We easily found Albireo with the telescope and captured the photo below using an old HUAWEI phone. We struggled to get a crisp image. Next time, we'll have a go with the Seestar S50.

Image credit: MK/JM (TRAC)

Above image: The gold and blue stars looked stunning to the naked eye, but not quite so striking in this photo. Camera: HUAWEI SNE-LX1. Taken at 00:06 on 06 Jul 2026.

Sun Photos (Phone Camera)

We photographed the Sun on one meetup during July. It was not much fun standing in direct sunlight during the heat waves, so our output this month was low.

We used a regular Samsung phone to take a photo of the Sun on 09 Jul 2026. There were several clusters of sunspots, which were picked up well in the photo.

You can compare our photo of the Sun to one taken by NASA at roughly the same time.

Image credit: MK/JM (TRAC)

Above image: A photo of the Sun taken with a mobile phone camera. A few clusters of sunspots can be seen. Taken at 12:40 on 09 Jul 2026.

Image credit: NASA SDO

Above image: The view of the Sun taken by NASA at roughly the same time that we took our photo. We were able to accurately pick up the main groups of sunspots. Taken at 12:00 on 09 Jun 2026.

Lunar Observations

Full Moon - Buck Moon (29 Jul 2026)

We got another low Full Moon in July. We headed to the park to see the moonrise at 21:15 on 29 Jul 2026. The Moon looked huge and had a beautiful pale orange glow to it as it rose between the houses.

Image credit: DM (TRAC)

Above image: David M took this photo of the Buck Moon from Ryetop Park. Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ60. F-stop: f/5.4. Exposure: 1/10 sec. ISO-400. Focal length: 130 mm. Taken at 21:28 on 29 Jul 2026.

Image credit: JM (TRAC)

Above image: July's Full Moon at midnight on 29 Jul 2026. Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ60. F-stop: f/6.4. Exposure: 1/125 sec. ISO-250. Focal length: 130 mm. Taken at 00:25 on 29 Jul 2026.

Moon in the Daytime

Last month I failed to find the Moon in the daytime sky. We had another go, and Matey K got the Moon in view at 13:00 on 09 Jul 2026. The sky was so bright that the Moon wasn't at all clear. We took a photo, but the result was poor.

I don't think it would've been possible to see Regulus near the Moon last month due to the brightness of the sky. Perhaps we'll try this again at a different time of year.

Planets

Venus

Venus lost altitude at twilight during July. Although it's separated from the Sun by a decent distance, both objects are roughly at the same altitude from our perspective at sunset, so Venus is low in the sky as the sky starts to darken in the evening.

Saturn

Those awake after 01:00 were able to spot Saturn for the first time since early February. The ringed planet has now emerged from behind the Sun. We'll be treated to excellent views of Saturn all night long in the winter months.

Summary

Eclipse Prep

We are now experts at quickly finding the Sun with the 5-inch telescope. Our homemade filter for the small refractor also worked well when we tested it. We are looking fairly well organised for the August eclipse.

Looking Ahead

At the start of August, we'll be gearing up for the solar eclipse on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. Do not miss this exciting astronomical event.

James M
TRAC Team Leader
02 Aug 2026 – Rainham, Kent