June 2019

Phases of the Moon

Mercury

Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation on June 23. This means that it is located to the east of the Sun, i.e., it is visible at evening after the Sun sets down. Try to find it about one hour after the sunset by binoculars. It should be visible also by naked eye because of its brightness of around 0.0 mag. Good luck!

Jupiter at Opposition

Jupiter will be at opposition on June 10. The planet is closest to our Earth, exactly opposite to the Sun and at its brightest with -2.6 mag. The planet rises when the Sun sets down and it is on the sky through the whole night. This is the best time to observe its four largest moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto) and also some interesting features on its large disk. The four moons can be seen with binoculars, but to see the details on the planet's disk you will need a telescope with objective lens of diameter at least 80mm and the magnification around 100.

Saturn and the Moon

On June 19 in the morning, the planet will be 0.4 degree to the north to the Moon low over south-eastern horizon.

Summer Solstice

On June 21 afternoon, there will be the summer solstice. This means the the northern hemisphere of our Earth will be tilted at maximum angle towards the Sun. The day on the northern hemisphere will be the longest one and the astronomical summer begins.