Sky Watch July 4-10: First-Quarter Moon, Mars-Regulus, Mercury

Witness the first-quarter moon's half-lit face stealing the spotlight on July 5, while Mars cozies up to Regulus in Leo. Catch Venus dazzling as the morning star and Saturn displaying its rings in Aquarius after midnight. Early risers can spot Mercury during its rare appearance near greatest western elongation around July 7, while the glowing Milky Way core offers a spectacular view in the southeast for dark-sky enthusiasts.