Welcome to the June night sky. This is the month of the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere, it is the Winter Solstice. It happens this year on June 20 at around 20:51 UTC.
Just two days later, on June 22, we have a full Moon. When we have a full Moon, it is directly opposite the Sun and the Sun is at its highest on the Winter Solstice. This means that the full Moon will be at its lowest position in the night sky. In fact, this month’s full Moon will be the lowest for the next 18 years.
June is very poor in meteor showers with only two easily visible this month. The first being the Tau Herculids on the night of the 2nd, and the other being the June Bootids on the night of the 27th. Both these showers are known to be weak.
Venus is an evening star and now being seen low over in the west just after sunset. On June 1, very early in the morning just before sunrise, the thin crescent Moon is directly between the ringed planet Saturn and the red planet Mars – both these planets are of similar brightness now.
On June 4, the gas giant planet Jupiter is very low in the east just before sunrise. It will be half a degree from the planet Mercury. By June 15, Jupiter returns fully visible as an early morning star. By June 30, Jupiter will be close to the planet Mars and the last quarter Moon.
This month sees the rising of the summer triangle soon after the sunset. It consists of three bright stars – Altair, Deneb and Vega. These stars are of similar brightness but vastly different distance.
The Moon is new on the 6th, first quarter on the 14th, full on the 22nd and last quarter on June 29.
By Clive Jackson
|| features@algarveresident.com
Clive Jackson is the director of the Camera Obscura – Tavira EYE attraction, located near the Castle of Tavira. Specialising in education and public outreach.
281 322 527 | info@torredetavira.com www.torredetavira.com
To see the June Sky Map click on the pdf link below
