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3mo ago

June Skywatch: Strawberry Moon and Planet Pairings Highlight Solstice Month

Observers will track Mars grazing Regulus mid-month, see Mercury emerge after dusk, follow the Milky Way core across dark skies.

Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn shine brilliantly in the June sky during dusk and dawn hours
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Overview

  • The full ‘Strawberry Moon’ reaches peak illumination on June 11, anchoring early summer stargazing.
  • Mars passes within half a degree of Regulus on June 16 and 17, creating a prime target for binoculars or small telescopes.
  • A third-quarter Moon aligns with Saturn before dawn on June 19 and meets a slender crescent beside Venus on June 22 in the eastern sky.
  • The June solstice falls on June 20 (US time zones) and June 21 (UTC), delivering the Northern Hemisphere’s longest day and potentially rare noctilucent cloud displays.
  • Venus shines low before sunrise all month, Mars is visible after sunset, Mercury appears in the western sky late in June, and the Milky Way core arches overhead at night.