Imagine standing on the edge of infinity, gazing into the vastness of the cosmos. Beyond the confines of our humble planet lies a realm so immense, so unfathomable, that even the brightest minds among us are but explorers in a sea of endless discovery. This June, let us stand in awe of the universe that surrounds us, for it is a realm of wonder and majesty beyond our wildest dreams. As June unfurls its celestial canvas, prepare to be swept away on a journey beyond the confines of Earth. Here are a few events that will keep you searching the sky in June 2024.
On a particular morning this June, the Moon and Mars will be very close to each other in the sky, just 2°09' apart. Picture this: the 25-day-old crescent Moon will be near the fiery red glow of Mars, creating a stunning sight against the constellation Pisces.
If you're in India, set your alarm for 02:45 (IST) to catch this cosmic show, which is 2 hours and 35 minutes before sunrise. As you step outside, you'll see the Moon and Mars rising in the east, a dazzling duo against the dark predawn sky. Keep watching as they climb higher, reaching an altitude of 25 degrees before the first light of dawn appears. By around 04:43, they will fade from view as dawn breaks. Both the Moon and Mars will be in the constellation Pisces.
This celestial event is a must-see, a fleeting moment of cosmic harmony that reminds us of the wonders of the universe. So, mark your calendars and look to the eastern sky for this awe-inspiring treat.
Get ready for a celestial spectacle this June as the Parade of Planets graces the night sky. This rare alignment will feature Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, all visible in a single line, offering a breathtaking sight for stargazers. In India, the best time to witness this astronomical marvel will be just before dawn, around 4:30 to 5:30 AM, when the planets will shine brightly in the eastern sky. Use binoculars or a telescope for an even more spectacular view, especially for spotting Mercury and Venus, which will be closest to the horizon. Mark your calendars, and don't miss this extraordinary event that brings the wonders of our solar system right to your doorstep.
Get ready to witness a celestial spectacle. Meteor showers are nature's own fireworks show. This happens when our planet travels through space and encounters trails of cosmic debris left behind by passing comets and asteroids. As Earth passes through these trails, the magic takes place.
The Arietids meteor shower is set to dazzle every year from May 22 to July 2, with its peak performance on June 7. This year, the Daytime Arietid meteor shower has been active from April 14 and will continue until June 24, producing its peak rate of meteors around June 10.
Keep your eyes peeled for these daytime shooting stars, especially around June 10, when they're expected to perform best. If you're in India, set your alarm for around 3:00 AM to catch the action. As the radiant point in the Aries constellation rises above the eastern horizon, it's showtime! It will then remain active until dawn breaks around 4:53 AM.
The best views might just be before dawn on June 10, when the radiant point peaks in the sky around 10:00 AM. So, grab your coffee, set your sights on the heavens, and prepare to be awestruck by nature's light show.
On June 14th, the Moon will reach the first quarter phase, making it prominent in the evening sky and setting in the middle of the night. From India, it will be visible soon after it rises at 12:14 until shortly before it sets at 00:37.
As the evening progresses, observe the Moon as it ascends higher and higher, reaching its peak prominence. When it reaches the first quarter phase, it will appear nearly halfway illuminated, creating a mesmerizing sight in the heavens.
The Moon completes an orbit around the Earth every four weeks, causing its phases to cycle through the new Moon, first quarter, full Moon, last quarter, and back to the new Moon every 29.5 days. Throughout this cycle, it is visible at different times of the day. During the first quarter phase, it appears high in the sky at sunset before sinking towards the horizon and setting in the middle of the night.
Be sure to keep your eyes open on this day to witness the captivating view of the half-illuminated Moon rising high in the sky.
On June 21st, the northern hemisphere will experience the longest day of 2024, marking the beginning of midsummer. This is when the Sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky, in the constellation of Cancer at a declination of 23.5°N. Astronomers consider this day the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and the first day of winter in the southern hemisphere.
At this time of year, noon, when the Sun appears highest in the sky, occurs a minute later each day due to the equation of time, which accounts for slight variations in the length of each day depending on the time of year. In June, each solar day lasts slightly longer than 24 hours, causing noon to occur a minute later each day.
This shift also impacts sunrise and sunset times, with the earliest sunrise occurring a few days before the solstice and the latest sunset occurring a few days later.
Prepare for an incredible journey through time as the year's longest day unfolds before you. This day is filled with endless possibilities and the timeless beauty of the universe.
Get ready to be amazed as the Moon reaches its full phase, casting its radiant glow. Throughout the evening, you can bask in the enchanting light of the full Moon as it moves across the sky, illuminating the world below with its ethereal brilliance. During this time of the month, the Moon is visible for much of the night, rising at around dusk and setting at around dawn.
Don't forget to mark your calendars for June 27! On this night, there will be two spectacular celestial events to behold. First, the June Bootid meteor shower will be active from June 22 to July 2, with the peak occurring around June 27. Look out for meteors in the constellation Bootes whenever the radiant point is above the horizon, especially after dusk. Additionally, there will be a close approach between the Moon and Saturn, with the Moon passing within 4.1 arc minutes of Saturn. In India, this conjunction will be visible in the dawn sky, with both objects in the Aquarius constellation.
On the 29th of June, the Moon will reach the last quarter phase. It will rise in the middle of the night and be prominent in the predawn sky. In India, it will be visible from soon after it rises at 00:09 until soon before it sets at 12:26. At this point in its monthly cycle of phases, it will appear almost exactly half illuminated.
On June 30th, Saturn will begin moving in retrograde motion, which means it will appear to move backwards in the sky instead of its usual forward movement. This happens because of the Earth's motion around the Sun, which causes a change in perspective and makes it seem like Saturn is moving in the opposite direction. This backward motion occurs for the outer planets of our solar system a few months before they reach opposition.