Exploring the Night Sky: Planetary Wonders Visible from Sri Lanka (June–July 2025)

If you're in Sri Lanka and have looked up at the night sky recently, you may have noticed some unusually bright and beautiful objects adorning the twilight and pre-dawn hours. Between June and July 2025, the skies above the island nation have offered a rare treat: multiple planets visible to the naked eye, lined up gracefully across the horizon.

Here's a closer look at what you can spot in the Sri Lankan sky and how to catch these celestial wonders before they fade.

Evening Sky Planets (After Sunset)

1. Venus: Known as the "Evening Star," Venus has been shining brilliantly just after sunset. Look west between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM for the brightest object in that part of the sky.

2. Mars: Appearing as a faint reddish dot, Mars can be seen in the southwestern sky, sharing the spotlight with Venus but staying visible a little longer into the night.

3. Mercury: While a bit harder to spot due to its proximity to the horizon, Mercury has been visible briefly during early July after sunset.

Morning Sky Planets (Before Sunrise)

1. Jupiter: Dominating the eastern sky from around 4:30 AM until sunrise, Jupiter is unmistakably bright and a must-see for early risers.

2. Saturn: Rising earlier, from around 2:00 AM, Saturn appears yellowish and pairs beautifully with a telescope for a glimpse of its rings.

3. Uranus & Neptune: These gas giants are not visible to the naked eye but can be seen through a telescope in the early morning hours. Uranus is near Jupiter, while Neptune lies closer to the Pisces constellation.

Special Astronomical Events in July 2025

July 4: Earth reaches aphelion, its farthest distance from the Sun. While this has no major visible effect, it's a significant point in Earth's orbit.

July 11: Full Buck Moon lights up the night, creating a brilliant backdrop but dimming fainter stars and meteors.

July 29–30: Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers peak. Head out after midnight for a chance to see streaks of light darting through the sky.

How to Get the Best View

Choose a dark location: Away from city lights, like Horton Plains or Knuckles Mountain Range.

Use sky apps: Tools like SkyView, Stellarium, or Sky Map help you identify planets.

Bring binoculars or a telescope: Especially if you're trying to spot Uranus, Neptune, or get a closer look at Saturn's rings.

Final Thoughts

July 2025 is a special time for skywatchers in Sri Lanka. With the alignment of several