Astronomical Highlights in June

During the last couple of years the month of June has been astronomically quiet. There once was a meteor shower around the 16th, the June Lyrids, but it has virtually disappeared. We still have magnificently ringed Saturn to view for a couple of months, so if you haven't seen this beautiful planet through any of the telescopes at Seagrave Observatory, you better plan to visit our facilities soon on any clear Saturday night.

Yes, there will be other celestial objects to see, but in June most of these will require a telescope of some aperture to view any details.

One "event" the casual stargazer can watch with the naked-eye is the Moon passing near some prominent stars and planets over the course of several nights. Once the Sun sets and evening twilight deepens on the 16th, you shouldn't have any difficulty locating the thin crescent Moon just above the west-northwest horizon. Up and to the right of the Moon you'll see Pollux and Castor, the primary stars of the constellation of Gemini. The next evening, the 17th, the Moon will be to the right and below Venus. On the 18th you'll find a larger crescent Moon down and to the right of Saturn (half way between the "true lord of the rings" and Venus). Then on the 19th the Moon will be very close to the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo.

Keep in mind that each night beginning on the 16th, the Moon will appear higher and further to the left in the western sky. Should you have a telescope this would be a good time to observe some lunar craters, determine the "phase" of Venus, and to observe Saturn's rings before he disappears into the increasing twilight.

The summer solstice occurs at 2:06pm on the 21st. Seems like we just got out of winter! Believe it or not the daylight hours will then begin to get shorter once again. Where does the time go??

In addition, if you really want to study the Moon's craters in greater detail with a telescope, wait until the 22nd when it will be at First Quarter. Then direct your gaze at the terminator, the "line" that separates the day and night area on the lunar surface. During First Quarter this line indicates the sunrise point. Long shadows are cast providing some interesting views of caters with their central peaks and steep walls, as well as mountain peaks and smooth lunar seas.

And finally, at month's end keep your eyes on Saturn and Venus. Watch as these two planets move closer to one another in the western sky. On July 1st they will be separated by just two-thirds or so of a degree, which is a little more than the diameter of the Full Moon.

Don't forget to visit Seagrave Memorial Observatory on any clear Saturday night for a tour of the heavens. Visit our web site for additional information: www.theskyscrapers.org.

Keep your eyes to the skies.