Every month, NASA provides exciting insights on celestial events to look forward to, and June is no exception.
Planets and the Moon
June features an impressive lineup of planets, including Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury. Weather permitting, early risers can catch a glimpse of Venus—our solar system’s brightest planet—and Saturn lighting up the eastern sky during the hours just before dawn. Watch as Saturn increases in altitude day by day. On June 19, the third quarter moon will be positioned near Saturn, followed a few days later by a crescent moon appearing next to Venus on June 22.
Don’t miss the soft salmon-pink hue of Mars appearing in the western sky shortly after sunset. However, keep in mind that it’s less bright than it was at the beginning of May. On June 16-17, Mars will seem to drift close to Regulus, the prominent star in the constellation Leo. Although these planets are visible to the naked eye, using binoculars or a telescope will enhance your view of Mars and Regulus, making them appear as if they are only a full moon’s width apart.
Mercury will also be making an appearance this month, with its peak visibility occurring on June 27. Look for it low in the western sky as twilight fades.
Milky Way
This month also marks a prime opportunity to observe the breathtaking Milky Way galaxy, home to hundreds of billions of stars along with vast clouds of cosmic dust and gas. The Milky Way appears as a soft band of light crossing the night sky, a mesmerizing sight for stargazers. According to NASA, “You just need to be under dark skies, away from city lights, to see it.” This view offers a glimpse of the bright central core of our galaxy, seen edge-on from our vantage point within its disk. Although the Milky Way is visible without assistance, using binoculars or a telescope can significantly enhance your experience.
June Solstice
The upcoming solstice on June 20 marks the day when the sun reaches its northernmost position, delivering the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest for the Southern Hemisphere.
Nasa regards this event as “a reliable astronomical marker that has fascinated humans for ages.” Many ancient civilizations constructed monuments—from Stonehenge to Chichén Itzá—to align with the solstice, underscoring the cultural significance of these celestial happenings. Finding a quiet spot to watch the sunset on this key date connects you to a long-standing tradition of astronomical observation, linking you with countless generations of skywatchers throughout history.
