June 21 Rose Moon
The full Moon of June occurs tonight, at 9:14pm. It is known as
the Rose Moon, Strawberry Moon and Flower Moon. Because it occurs
on the same day as the summer solstice, the full Moon follows an
unusually low path across the southern sky.
June 21 Rose Moon
The full Moon of June occurs tonight, at 9:14pm. It is known as the Rose Moon, Strawberry Moon and Flower Moon. Because it occurs on the same day as the summer solstice, the full Moon follows an unusually low path across the southern sky.
June 22 Role Reversals
While the northern hemisphere enjoyed the beginning of summer yesterday, the southern hemisphere is heading into winter. The June solstice is the longest day of the year north of the equator, but the shortest day south of the equator.
June 23 Evening Planets
As the sky finally begins to darken this evening, a tight grouping of the planets Venus, Mercury and Saturn climbs into view low in the west-northwest. Venus is the brightest. Mercury is just to its lower right, with Saturn a little farther to Venus’ left.
June 24 Saint John’s Day
Today is Saint John’s Day, an ancient festival date that marked “midsummer” in England. Many cultures considered a solstice the midpoint of a season, not the beginning. Saint John’s Day was celebrated with giant bonfires the night before.
June 25 Evening Planets II
Look quite low in the west-northwest about 30 to 45 minutes after sunset for a tight grouping of three planets. Venus is the brightest, with Mercury to its lower right and Saturn farther to its lower left.
June 26 Draco
Draco, the dragon, puts in a good evening-sky appearance during early summer. It stands high in the north, wrapping around the Little Dipper. Look for it between Cygnus, the swan, which is low in the northeast, and the Big Dipper, in the northwest.
June 27 Summer Triangle
The Summer Triangle is climbing into good view in the eastern evening sky. Its highest and brightest point is the star Vega. The northern point is Deneb, the “tail” of Cygnus, the swan, while its southern point is Altair, the brightest star of Aquila, the eagle.
