"What's Up" From NASA and JPL for the Month of June, 2025
The month of June in the northern hemisphere begins in the Spring and transitions into Summer about 2/3 of the way through the month. Five of the Solar System's planets make appearances this month.
All Month - The Planets
Venus:
Venus appears very bright and low in the east about two hours before sunrise all month long.
Mars:
The red planet is easy to spot in the west the first few hours after sunset. On the 16th and 17th, Mars passes very close to the bright star Regulus, in the constellation Leo. They will appear about a half a degree apart (about the width of the Moon).
Jupiter:
The King of the Planets appears low on the western horizon just after sunset for the firs week of the month. For the rest of June, Jupiter will be lost in the glare of the setting Sun. It will reappear low in the east next month.
Mercury:
Look for Mercury during the final week and a half low in the west 30 to45 minutes after sunset.
Saturn:
Early in the month, he ringed planet Saturn rises in the eastern sky around 3 Am. By the end of the month, it rises much earlier - aroung 1 AM. Look for it early in the month, cozied up to Venus but, as the month progresses, it rapidly pulls away, rising higher each morning.
Skywatching Highlights from June's episode.
June 19 – The Moon & Saturn
Look for the third quarter Moon and the ringed planet Saturn rising together in the pre-dawn morning sky.
June 22 – Moon & Venus:
A slim, crescent Moon rises this morning right next to the brilliant planet Venus. Look for the pair in the east between about 3 AM and sunrise.
June 20 - Summer Solstice
For observers in the US, the Summer Solstice occurs on June 20 this year. The Earth's Northern Hemisphere reaches it's maximum tilt towards the Sun on this day and marks the beginning of Summer.
June 16th & 17th - Mars & Regulus
On these two nights, the Red Planet Mars passes very close to the bright, bluish-white star Regulus. Located in the constellation Leo (the Lion), Regulus is known as "the Heart of the Lion". The pair will appear about the same distance apart as the width of the full Moon and should make a stunning sight through binocluars or a small telescope at low power.
June 21-30 - Mercury Makes an Appearance
Briefly peeking out low above the western horizon, the tiny planet Mercury makes an appearance the latter part of the month. Observers will need a clear view of the western horizon to find it beginning just 30 to 45 minutes after sunset.
All Month - Mars
For a couple hours all month, Mars is visible in the west for a couple of hours after sunset. As our planet overtakes and passes Mars in our orbits, the Red Planet is noticable dimmer and smaller than it was last month.
All Month - Milky Way
The brighter central region of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, begins to be visible, late at night beginning this month. Located in the constellation Sagitarius, the dense central region of the Milky Way lies to the south all night. It is best viewed froma dark sky location, far from any bright city lights.
Watch "What's Up" for June, 2025 graciously provided by the fine folks at NASA and JPL.