Dear Stargazer Friends,
I hope you have been well. Astronomically speaking, May has been a good month over here with the Total Lunar Eclipse of 16 May 2022 and a short trip to La Creuse in France, a region basically without light pollution. Its Regional Natural Park of Millevaches in Limousin has recently been designated “International Dark Sky Reserve”.
Stargazing is just awesome there and it’s good to know that there are still dark sky places left in Western Europe. Something that is certainly not the case in Switzerland where, unfortunately, there is very little awareness of light pollution and even less political/public support to reduce artificial light at night. At the same, time we as individuals can make a small but important difference in everyday life.
Now to the astronomical outlook for June. Summer Solstice will be on 21 June at 0914 UTC (1014 CET). Therefore, nights are getting shorter and shorter till 21 June, so it’s not an ideal month for astronomy. But we’ll have a Supermoon (Strawberry Supermoon) on 14 June. And if you happen to be up early once every while this month, look southeast before dawn/at dawn and you’ll see Planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Depending on your latitude (45°N-80°N), you may see noctilucent clouds (read more in chapter “Phenomena not to miss in June”).
Provided you have the right equipment to protect your eyes, you can observe our nearest Star, the Sun in June.
Clears skies and best wishes,
Isa
Moon phases June 2022
Moon phases
| Phase | Date |
| First Quarter | 07 June, 16:48 |
| Full Moon (Super Strawberry Moon) | 14 June, 13:51 |
| Third Quarter | 21 June, 05:10 |
| New Moon | 29 June, 04:52 |
Meteor Showers
| Sagittariids 1 June – 15 July | Peak on 19 June. Radiant point in Y Sagittarii. Difficult to observe from northern hemisphere. |
| June Bootid meteor shower 22 June – 2 July | Peak around 27 June. Radiant point in the constellation of Boötes. |
| Corvids 24 June – 1 July | Peak on 26 June 2022. Radiant point in the constellation of Corvus. |
Planets
For your local times check In-the-Sky (ephemeris)
Mercury is not observable from northern parts of Europe. However, it can be observed from Mediterranean countries as well as from the Tropics and the Southern hemisphere.
Venus is visible all month (constellation of Aries till 17 June, in Taurus from 18 June) and will rise earlier as the month progresses. On 15 June, it will rise at 0353 CET and on 30 June at 0345 CET. On 11 June, it will pass 1°36’ south of Uranus. However, this event will not be observable from Switzerland.
Mars will be observable during the second part of the night – in Pisces till 3 June, then in Cetus till 8 June, and again in Pisces from 10 June. On 22 June, look E/SE at dawn to observe the Waning Crescent Moon appear between Mars and Jupiter. On 23 June, the Waning Crescent Moon will appear close to Mars.
Jupiter is observable during the second part of the night – constellation of Pisces till 25 June, in Cetus from 26 June.
Saturn will be visible during the second part of the night. It rises earlier as the month progresses – on 30 June before midnight (2346 CET). It currently appears in the constellation of Capricornus.
Uranus will not be visible in June.
Neptune will become observable towards the end of June in the constellation of Pisces. (E/SE second part of the night until dawn).
Phenomena not to miss in June
Early summer nights are dominated by the constellation of Boötes with it’s brightest star, red giant Arcturus. The imaginary “summer triangle” is now visible before midnight with Vega (in Lyra), Daneb (in Cygnus) and Altair (in Aquila). But it’s too early for Deep Sky Astrophotography – at least in Switzerland.
In the northern hemisphere, nights are short in June – in some parts of in the North, there is no night at all. So it’s not an ideal month for astronomy doings. But weather permitting and if you’re up early, this month will be great to observe Planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Also, depending on your latitude, you may be able to observe the occasional noctilucent clouds: “Noctilucent clouds are extremely rare collections of ice crystals, occasionally appearing in late clear summer evenings after sunset, but before it gets completely dark. They become visible about the same time as the brightest stars appear and often stay visible after dark because they are still reflecting sunlight due to their great height. They are higher up than any other clouds, occupying the layer of atmosphere known as the Mesosphere, and are only seen at latitudes between 45°N and 80°N in the Northern Hemisphere…” (Source: MetOffice UK).
Alternatively, it’s an ideal month for observing the Sun – only with adequate solar viewing equipment! Deep Sky and Milky Way Photography will have to wait till July/August – at least here in northern/western Europe.
| 14 | Supermoon (Strawberry Moon) |
| 21 | Summer Solstice at 0914 UTC (1014 CET) |
| 22 | Waning Crescent Moon appears between Mars and Jupiter |
Bright stars
| Name | Mag. | Rise | Transit | Elev. | Set | Ang. Size |
| Vega | 0.00 | 16h23m | 2h31m | +81°51’30.62″ | 12h39m | — |
| Capella | 0.05 | — | 13h14m | +88°51’34.96″ | — | — |
| Arcturus | 0.15 | 14h38m | 22h09m | +62°07’12.50″ | 5h41m | — |
| Altair | 0.75 | 21h02m | 3h46m | +51°59’30.46″ | 10h29m | — |
| Spica | 0.95 | 16h04m | 21h19m | +31°47’55.61″ | 2h34m | — |
| Antares | 1.05 | 20h28m | 0h24m | +16°37’32.96″ | 4h20m | — |
| Deneb | 1.25 | — | 4h36m | +88°24’07.39″ | — | — |
| Shaula | 1.60 | 22h58m | 1h28m | +6°04’18.71″ | 3h59m | — |
| Mirfak | 1.75 | — | 11h21m | +86°57’43.22″ | — | — |
| Alioth | 1.75 | — | 20h48m | +81°06’12.00″ | — | — |
| Kaus Australis | 1.75 | 23h21m | 2h19m | +8°46’46.56″ | 5h17m | — |
| Alkaid | 1.85 | — | 21h41m | +87°42’07.65″ | — | — |
| Sargas | 1.85 | 0h45m | 1h32m | +0°30’40.15″ | 2h20m | — |
| Menkalinan | 1.90 | — | 13h53m | +88°00’03.74″ | — | — |
| Polaris | 1.95 | — | 10h55m | +47°36’18.95″ | — | — |
| Dubhe | 2.00 | — | 18h57m | +75°19’04.61″ | — | — |
| Alpheratz | 2.05 | 23h31m | 8h04m | +72°15’54.74″ | 16h37m | — |
| Mirach | 2.05 | 23h36m | 9h06m | +78°47’00.63″ | 18h35m | — |
| Algol | 2.05 | 0h15m | 11h05m | +84°04’02.55″ | 21h54m | — |
| Kochab | 2.05 | — | 22h44m | +62°53’27.69″ | — | — |
| Rasalhague | 2.05 | 18h30m | 1h29m | +55°36’26.36″ | 8h29m | — |
| Nunki | 2.05 | 22h53m | 2h50m | +16°50’13.90″ | 6h48m | — |
| Denebola | 2.10 | 12h34m | 19h43m | +57°30’27.60″ | 2h51m | — |
| Navi | 2.15 | — | 8h53m | +76°06’39.08″ | — | — |
| Almach | 2.15 | 22h12m | 10h00m | +85°27’43.93″ | 21h48m | — |
| Shedar | 2.20 | — | 8h36m | +80°17’06.73″ | — | — |
| Algieba | 2.20 | 10h38m | 18h13m | +62°47’14.05″ | 1h49m | — |
| Mizar | 2.20 | — | 21h17m | +82°07’49.75″ | — | — |
| Alphecca | 2.20 | 15h13m | 23h29m | +69°41’15.69″ | 7h44m | — |
| Eltanin | 2.20 | — | 1h50m | +85°27’49.32″ | — | — |
| Sadr | 2.20 | 17h43m | 4h17m | +83°22’45.60″ | 14h51m | — |
| Caph | 2.25 | — | 8h05m | +77°40’12.71″ | — | — |
| Larawag | 2.25 | 21h46m | 0h45m | +8°49’06.62″ | 3h43m | — |
| Merak | 2.30 | — | 18h55m | +80°41’01.05″ | — | — |
| Dschubba | 2.35 | 19h36m | 23h55m | +20°24’26.09″ | 4h13m | — |
| Mula | 2.35 | 23h30m | 1h37m | +4°11’51.29″ | 3h45m | — |
| Enif | 2.35 | 22h51m | 5h39m | +53°02’24.61″ | 12h27m | — |
| Phecda | 2.40 | — | 19h47m | +83°22’13.69″ | — | — |
| Scheat | 2.40 | 22h33m | 6h59m | +71°15’27.33″ | 15h25m | — |
| Sabik | 2.45 | 20h11m | 1h05m | +27°19’54.57″ | 5h59m | — |
| Aljanah | 2.45 | 19h28m | 4h41m | +77°06’27.60″ | 13h54m | — |
| Alderamin | 2.45 | — | 5h13m | +74°16’24.92″ | — | — |
| Markab | 2.45 | 23h47m | 7h00m | +58°23’05.31″ | 14h13m | — |
| Izar | 2.50 | 14h21m | 22h39m | +70°01’47.42″ | 6h57m | — |
| Saik | 2.50 | 19h14m | 0h32m | +32°27’58.55″ | 5h50m | — |
| Zosma | 2.55 | 11h29m | 19h08m | +63°27’35.96″ | 2h47m | — |
| Zubeneschamali | 2.60 | 17h48m | 23h11m | +33°36’28.66″ | 4h34m | — |
| Unukalhai | 2.60 | 17h07m | 23h38m | +49°24’56.75″ | 6h10m | — |
| Acrab | 2.60 | 19h26m | 24h00m | +23°13’12.40″ | 4h33m | — |
| Ruchbah | 2.65 | — | 9h22m | +76°35’39.53″ | — | — |
| Muphrid | 2.65 | 14h21m | 21h48m | +61°20’33.81″ | 5h16m | — |
| Yed Prior | 2.70 | 18h20m | 0h09m | +39°19’16.70″ | 5h57m | — |
| Athebyne | 2.70 | — | 0h17m | +75°29’21.88″ | — | — |
| Lesath | 2.70 | 22h57m | 1h26m | +5°52’55.50″ | 3h54m | — |
| Kaus Media | 2.70 | 22h42m | 2h16m | +13°18’07.63″ | 5h50m | — |
| Tarazed | 2.70 | 20h50m | 3h41m | +53°43’52.74″ | 10h32m | — |
| Zubenelgenubi II | 2.75 | 17h53m | 22h45m | +26°56’49.33″ | 3h37m | — |
| Kornephoros | 2.75 | 16h40m | 0h24m | +64°30’03.85″ | 8h09m | — |
| Rastaban | 2.75 | — | 1h24m | +84°39’55.46″ | — | — |
| Cebalrai | 2.75 | 19h14m | 1h38m | +47°37’31.36″ | 8h02m | — |
| Algenib | 2.80 | 0h56m | 8h09m | +58°21’57.30″ | 15h22m | — |
| Paikauhale | 2.80 | 20h46m | 0h30m | +14°51’05.89″ | 4h15m | — |
| Kaus Borealis | 2.80 | 22h20m | 2h23m | +17°41’39.05″ | 6h25m | — |
| Cor Caroli | 2.85 | 10h50m | 20h50m | +81°14’30.86″ | 6h49m | — |
| Vindemiatrix | 2.85 | 14h04m | 20h56m | +53°54’01.71″ | 3h48m | — |
| Fang | 2.85 | 19h55m | 23h53m | +16°55’26.63″ | 3h51m | — |
| ζ Her | 2.85 | 15h44m | 0h35m | +74°37’06.43″ | 9h26m | — |
| Albaldah | 2.85 | 22h37m | 3h05m | +22°06’16.66″ | 7h32m | — |
| Deneb Algedi | 2.85 | 0h49m | 5h42m | +27°03’28.67″ | 10h35m | — |
| γ Per | 2.90 | — | 11h01m | +83°20’19.56″ | — | — |
| ε Per | 2.90 | 1h25m | 11h54m | +83°06’00.05″ | 22h23m | — |
| Sadalsuud | 2.90 | 23h46m | 5h27m | +37°35’57.81″ | 11h07m | — |
| Matar | 2.90 | 21h57m | 6h38m | +73°23’27.84″ | 15h20m | — |
| Algenubi | 2.95 | 9h42m | 17h39m | +66°43’45.54″ | 1h36m | — |
| Girtab | 2.95 | 23h51m | 1h42m | +3°08’43.23″ | 3h34m | — |
| Alnasl | 2.95 | 22h31m | 2h01m | +12°41’59.85″ | 5h30m | — |
| Okab | 2.95 | 19h54m | 3h00m | +56°57’32.92″ | 10h06m | — |
| Sadalmelik | 2.95 | 23h58m | 6h01m | +42°51’24.49″ | 12h04m | — |
| Mizan | 3.00 | 0h43m | 10h06m | +78°08’08.59″ | 19h28m | — |
| Almaaz | 3.00 | — | 12h59m | +86°50’17.72″ | — | — |
| ψ UMa | 3.00 | — | 19h03m | +87°24’39.03″ | — | — |
| Seginus | 3.00 | 12h26m | 22h26m | +81°14’55.03″ | 8h25m | — |
| Pherkad | 3.00 | — | 23h14m | +65°11’57.13″ | — | — |
| Xamidimura | 3.00 | 22h27m | 0h47m | +5°07’37.11″ | 3h06m | — |
Globular star clusters
| Name | Mag. | Rise | Transit | Elev. | Set |
| M 22 (Great Sagittarius Cluster) | 5.10 | 22h20m | 2h31m | +19°12’45.77″ | 6h43m |
| M 13 (Great Star Cluster in Hercules) | 5.80 | 14h59m | 0h36m | +79°28’25.13″ | 10h13m |
| M 4 (Crab Globular Cluster) | 5.90 | 20h23m | 0h18m | +16°31’46.86″ | 4h14m |
| M 71 (Angelfish Cluster) | 6.10 | 20h18m | 3h48m | +61°53’50.67″ | 11h19m |
| M 3 | 6.20 | 13h09m | 21h36m | +71°18’56.18″ | 6h02m |
| M 15 (Pegasus Cluster) | 6.30 | 22h27m | 5h25m | +55°19’36.18″ | 12h23m |
| M 2 | 6.30 | 23h27m | 5h29m | +42°20’40.40″ | 11h30m |
| M 10 | 6.40 | 19h05m | 0h52m | +38°56’15.56″ | 6h38m |
| M 92 | 6.40 | — | 1h11m | +86°09’52.99″ | — |
| M 5 (Rose Cluster) | 6.65 | 17h00m | 23h13m | +45°03’47.97″ | 5h26m |
| NGC 5986 | 6.92 | 21h18m | 23h41m | +5°20’51.27″ | 2h03m |
Messier Objects
| Name | Mag. | Rise | Transit | Elev. | Set |
| M 7 (Ptolemy’s Cluster) | 3.30 | 22h55m | 1h49m | +8°21’36.28″ | 4h43m |
| M 31 (Andromeda Galaxy) | 3.44 | 21h40m | 8h38m | +84°25’41.13″ | 19h37m |
| M 6 (Butterfly Cluster) | 4.20 | 22h19m | 1h35m | +10°52’12.53″ | 4h51m |
| M 39 | 4.60 | — | 5h27m | +88°24’10.14″ | — |
| M 24 (Small Sagittarius Star Cloud) | 4.60 | 21h31m | 2h12m | +24°32’45.80″ | 6h52m |
| M 25 | 4.60 | 21h49m | 2h27m | +23°59’16.84″ | 7h04m |
| M 22 (Great Sagittarius Cluster) | 5.10 | 22h20m | 2h31m | +19°12’45.77″ | 6h43m |
| M 34 (Spiral Cluster) | 5.20 | — | 10h38m | +85°52’31.68″ | — |
| M 23 | 5.50 | 21h14m | 1h52m | +24°06’04.25″ | 6h30m |
| M 33 (Triangulum Galaxy) | 5.72 | 0h45m | 9h30m | +73°49’21.28″ | 18h15m |
| M 13 (Great Star Cluster in Hercules) | 5.80 | 14h59m | 0h36m | +79°28’25.13″ | 10h13m |
| M 4 (Crab Globular Cluster) | 5.90 | 20h23m | 0h18m | +16°31’46.86″ | 4h14m |
| M 21 (Webb’s Cross) | 5.90 | 21h39m | 1h59m | +20°36’24.71″ | 6h18m |
| M 8 (Lagoon Nebula) | 6.00 | 21h50m | 1h58m | +18°43’23.44″ | 6h07m |
| M 16 (Eagle Nebula) | 6.00 | 21h10m | 2h13m | +29°17’00.61″ | 7h17m |
| M 17 (Omega Nebula) | 6.00 | 21h23m | 2h16m | +26°55’21.37″ | 7h08m |
| M 71 (Angelfish Cluster) | 6.10 | 20h18m | 3h48m | +61°53’50.67″ | 11h19m |
| M 3 | 6.20 | 13h09m | 21h36m | +71°18’56.18″ | 6h02m |
| M 20 (Trifid Nebula) | 6.30 | 21h41m | 1h57m | +20°07’30.57″ | 6h14m |
| M 11 (Wild Duck Cluster) | 6.30 | 21h08m | 2h46m | +36°49’49.00″ | 8h23m |
| M 15 (Pegasus Cluster) | 6.30 | 22h27m | 5h25m | +55°19’36.18″ | 12h23m |
| M 2 | 6.30 | 23h27m | 5h29m | +42°20’40.40″ | 11h30m |
| M 10 | 6.40 | 19h05m | 0h52m | +38°56’15.56″ | 6h38m |
| M 92 | 6.40 | — | 1h11m | +86°09’52.99″ | — |
| M 29 (Cooling Tower Cluster) | 6.60 | 18h14m | 4h19m | +81°38’50.17″ | 14h23m |
| M 5 (Rose Cluster) | 6.65 | 17h00m | 23h13m | +45°03’47.97″ | 5h26m |
| M 18 (Black Swan Cluster) | 6.90 | 21h27m | 2h15m | +25°59’36.60″ | 7h02m |
| M 52 (Cassiopeia Salt-and-Pepper Cluster) | 6.90 | — | 7h20m | +75°14’06.17″ | — |
| M 81 (Bode’s Galaxy) | 6.94 | — | 17h49m | +67°59’38.85″ | — |
| M 62 (Flickering Globular Cluster) | 7.39 | 21h24m | 0h56m | +12°58’37.59″ | 4h28m |
| M 103 | 7.40 | — | 9h29m | +76°10’59.21″ | — |
| M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula) | 7.40 | 20h02m | 3h54m | +65°50’25.80″ | 11h46m |
| M 55 (Specter Cluster) | 7.42 | 0h09m | 3h35m | +12°12’44.73″ | 7h01m |
| M 19 | 7.47 | 21h00m | 0h57m | +16°48’23.05″ | 4h54m |
| M 28 | 7.66 | 22h13m | 2h19m | +18°14’38.10″ | 6h25m |
| M 12 (Gumball Globular Cluster) | 7.68 | 18h46m | 0h42m | +41°04’58.16″ | 6h37m |
| M 53 | 7.70 | 13h40m | 21h07m | +61°06’25.19″ | 4h33m |
| M 54 | 7.70 | 23h21m | 2h50m | +12°40’18.94″ | 6h19m |
| M 30 (Jellyfish Cluster) | 7.70 | 1h19m | 5h36m | +20°01’01.96″ | 9h52m |
| M 101 (Pinwheel Galaxy) | 7.86 | — | 21h57m | +82°41’42.14″ | — |
| M 80 | 7.87 | 19h55m | 0h11m | +20°03’58.14″ | 4h28m |
| M 104 (Sombrero Galaxy) | 8.00 | 15h21m | 20h34m | +31°19’55.03″ | 1h47m |
| M 26 | 8.00 | 21h16m | 2h40m | +33°43’00.95″ | 8h04m |
Sources:
In-the-Sky.org
Keller Hans-Ulrich, Kosmos Himmels-Jahr 2022
Stellarium.org
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