A close alignment of planets happens on the evening of the 10th of July as Mars comes to within less than a degree (two Moon-widths) from Saturn. Closest approach is after midnight but it will be set by then. This will be best seen in the deepening twilight about 9:30, when it will already down to 10 degrees above the western horizon. That’s only a fist-width at arm’s length, so you may have to scout out a good horizon.

For early risers Mercury is the “morning star” appearing just north of east in the morning twilight. It reached its greatest angle from the Sun on the first of the month but it will still be getting brighter through the month. However, it is swinging around the Sun, and will appear lower in the dawn sky until it disappears by the end of the month. It is on the far side of the Sun from us on the 29th and will reappear very low in the evening sky in August.