June Night Sky Guide: Strawberry Moon, Meteor Shower & Planet Alignment

June features the shortest nights of the year. While this means you have to stay up later for stargazing, you are also rewarded with warmer temperatures to make it more comfortable. What can you expect to find in the June night skies? Read on for all of the details of the June astronomical guide, featuring the first full moon of the summer, a planetary alignment with the moon, and the summer solstice.

Planetary Alignment with the Moon - June 16 - 18

Astronomers love a good planetary alignment. June features a much-anticipated alignment when a crescent moon lines up with Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus. You will find the trio of planets hovering low in the western sky shortly after sunset over three nights between June 16 and June 18

Venus and Jupiter will be the most prominent of the three planets. Mercury will be a bit more challenging to spot due to its lower position on the horizon. This planet also shines less brightly than the other two. Although the planets will remain in this alignment through the end of June, it will be more difficult to find Jupiter and Mercury as they migrate lower in the evening twilight. Thus, the nights of June 16, 17, and 18 will be the best bet if you are hoping to catch all three planets shining along with the moon.

Summer Solstice - June 21

Although meteorological summer officially kicked off on June 1, the astronomical summer does not begin until the solstice on Sunday, June 21. The official start of the summer happens at 4:24 am EDT on Father's Day.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the time when the sun's most direct rays are centered over the Tropic of Cancer. Conversely, it is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, also known as the start of the astronomical winter.