June’s Astronomy Events
The June sky is challenging for more northern observers because it doesn’t get truly dark. However, a combination of the moon, bright planets and stars mean that all of us can enjoy these celestial events.
All images are from SkySafari 6 and can be clicked on for a full screen version.
01 – This view of Regulus in Leo at 10pm shows just how close the moon’s going to come to it. With a wide field of view eyepiece, you’ll be able to glimpse both objects in the same view at their closest approach.
16 & 17 – Mars was an onlooker on the first of the month and now it’s the star of the Regulus show. For two evenings now, Mars will be within a degree of Leo’s brightest star.
19 – This pairing of the moon and Saturn is not the most dramatic we’ve seen but it still makes for a pleasing pre-sunrise spectacle. This chart shows their position at 4am.
22 – If you’re not put off being outside at 4:30 in the morning, then another moon/planet combo awaits you today. This time, it’s Venus and a glimpse with your telescope will reveal that its disc is only 1/4 illuminated.
26 – This dusk view of the western sky is at 9:30 in the evening. Not only do Mercury and the moon make a pleasing line with Castor and Pollux, but we’re also granted the opportunity to see the lunar disc at just about the thinnest we can observe. At this moment, it’s less than two days old and 4% illuminated.
29 – We finish June’s events a little like we began, with Mars, the moon and Regulus. This time, however, the star plays a cameo role to the Red Planet’s 1/2° approach of the moon.
