The moon is at third-quarter phase, one week ahead of new moon June 8. Venus and Mercury are both within a hand width June 10. June 18, Virgo's bright star Spica is an amazing 0.1 degree away from the moon, an occultation in the southern part of our planet. The following day, June 19, Saturn and our satellite are within four degrees; then Venus is less than two degrees away June 20. The moon is full June 23.
Mercury is found low to the horizon, owing to its close orbit to the sun, so during June, expect to find it in the west near where the sun goes down. Finding it may be aided by Venus in close quarters throughout the month. By mid-month, the two planets are side by side, then Venus passes to the north of Mercury June 20. Watch for the thin crescent moon a bit to the east June 10 and 11.
Venus is found in the western twilight, right by Mercury all month. As Mercury begins its daily descent, Venus rises higher each evening, giving a good show of planetary motion in live action. As above, watch for the crescent moon passing close by June 10 and 11. Bright Venus owes its high reflectivity (albedo of about 0.70) to the ever-present clouds, composed of dense carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid. There are probably rainfalls of the acid in the upper atmosphere that don't likely reach the surface. The high temperature precludes any serious long-term research, because the harsh environment quickly melts any electronic components on board a lander. Most of what we know about the planet was obtained by orbiting spacecraft.
Mars spends most of the month behind the sun, emerging late in our northeastern sky in early morning.
Jupiter starts out the month even closer to the sun than Venus and Mercury, so won't be seen throughout June.
Saturn rises in late afternoon, and adorns the southern evening sky all through the night. Be sure to get a view through a telescope of this great looking planet - it's quite a sight seeing the planet and its rings against the velvety black background of deep space. Most often, several of Saturn's moons are visible, as well. Watch for our moon close by June 19.
Uranus and Neptune are in the eastern sky at dawn and cross the sky in daylight - not suitable for viewing.
- James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000 and is now editor's assistant and a contributor to the Observer's Handbook, production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal and the society's national secretary. He was given the RASC Service Award at the 2012 General Assembly in Edmonton.
