Noctilucent cloud season begins from late May through to early August, making June an excellent month to look out for these high-altitude marvels.<\/p>\n\n
Comet C\/2017 K2 PanSTARRS continues to brighten and is well placed in northeast Ophiuchus.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 1<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/Y56I1X978U31OCV6A1609EC5CA97-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20132.1 Jupiter appears 1.6\u02da from mag. +0.7 Mars in the morning sky. Spot them low above the eastern horizon after 03:30 BST (02:30 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 2<\/h5>\n\nThis is the first and best window of opportunity to look for our \u2018Deep-Sky Tour\u2019 targets in Ophiuchus. The second window occurs in the last week of June, when nights are at their shortest for the year. <\/p>\n\n
Friday 3<\/h5>\n\n
This evening the \u2018Star of the Month\u2019, Kornephoros (Beta (\u03b2 Herculis), reaches its highest altitude, due south around 01:00 BST (midnight UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 6<\/h5>\n\nMinor planet 29 Amphitrite reaches opposition. Shining at mag. +9.7, Amphitrite can be found low in Scorpius, the Scorpion in June. <\/p>\n\n
This evening\u2019s almost first quarter Moon will reveal the clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 9<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/VHX7B1F46Q1IG5D7WIHT96KRCC83-875x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe first of two opportunities this month to catch our \u2018Moonwatch\u2019 target, the crater Hortensius, occurs this evening. Hortensius lies near an impressive series of six domes known as the Hortensius Omega dome field.<\/p>\n\n
Friday<\/strong> 10<\/h5>\n\nMag. +4.4 Theta (\u03b8) Virgin is is occulted by this morning\u2019s 74%-lit waxing gibbous Moon from 01:50 BST (00:50 UT) \u2013 times correct for the centre of the UK \u2013 ending just before both objects set.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 14<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/1TB6DY3QCI39TI2LEBD46DK4O1LZ-1024x929.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThe full Moon at 12:52 BST (11:52 UT) occurs almost 12 hours before lunar perigee, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. Look out for this so-called \u2018supermoon\u2019 this morning to witness the Moon illusion.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 16<\/h5>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation today, the planet appearing 23.2\u00b0 west of the Sun in the morning sky.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 19<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/RS42QQ650422YTU7ST1221606TNI-1024x658.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 72%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 8\u00b0 east-southeast of mag. +0.7 Saturn. Catch them both above the southeast horizon around 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 21<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/9W65V00Y9XKPJBTWK46ZG96A6631-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/2U7M690Y0R98V21X9DWOT5M6NSKZ-1024x813.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dj9jqhxgw9833.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/05\/592LC265R4BW9325Y683904R3V9W-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nMag. \u20132.1 Jupiter appears 1.6\u02da from mag. +0.7 Mars in the morning sky. Spot them low above the eastern horizon after 03:30 BST (02:30 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 2<\/h5>\n\nThis is the first and best window of opportunity to look for our \u2018Deep-Sky Tour\u2019 targets in Ophiuchus. The second window occurs in the last week of June, when nights are at their shortest for the year. <\/p>\n\n
Friday 3<\/h5>\n\n
This evening the \u2018Star of the Month\u2019, Kornephoros (Beta (\u03b2 Herculis), reaches its highest altitude, due south around 01:00 BST (midnight UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 6<\/h5>\n\nMinor planet 29 Amphitrite reaches opposition. Shining at mag. +9.7, Amphitrite can be found low in Scorpius, the Scorpion in June. <\/p>\n\n
This evening\u2019s almost first quarter Moon will reveal the clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 9<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe first of two opportunities this month to catch our \u2018Moonwatch\u2019 target, the crater Hortensius, occurs this evening. Hortensius lies near an impressive series of six domes known as the Hortensius Omega dome field.<\/p>\n\n
Friday<\/strong> 10<\/h5>\n\nMag. +4.4 Theta (\u03b8) Virgin is is occulted by this morning\u2019s 74%-lit waxing gibbous Moon from 01:50 BST (00:50 UT) \u2013 times correct for the centre of the UK \u2013 ending just before both objects set.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 14<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe full Moon at 12:52 BST (11:52 UT) occurs almost 12 hours before lunar perigee, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. Look out for this so-called \u2018supermoon\u2019 this morning to witness the Moon illusion.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 16<\/h5>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation today, the planet appearing 23.2\u00b0 west of the Sun in the morning sky.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 19<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 72%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 8\u00b0 east-southeast of mag. +0.7 Saturn. Catch them both above the southeast horizon around 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 21<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
Minor planet 29 Amphitrite reaches opposition. Shining at mag. +9.7, Amphitrite can be found low in Scorpius, the Scorpion in June. <\/p>\n\n
This evening\u2019s almost first quarter Moon will reveal the clair-obscur effects known as the Lunar X and V.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 9<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe first of two opportunities this month to catch our \u2018Moonwatch\u2019 target, the crater Hortensius, occurs this evening. Hortensius lies near an impressive series of six domes known as the Hortensius Omega dome field.<\/p>\n\n
Friday<\/strong> 10<\/h5>\n\nMag. +4.4 Theta (\u03b8) Virgin is is occulted by this morning\u2019s 74%-lit waxing gibbous Moon from 01:50 BST (00:50 UT) \u2013 times correct for the centre of the UK \u2013 ending just before both objects set.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 14<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe full Moon at 12:52 BST (11:52 UT) occurs almost 12 hours before lunar perigee, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. Look out for this so-called \u2018supermoon\u2019 this morning to witness the Moon illusion.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 16<\/h5>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation today, the planet appearing 23.2\u00b0 west of the Sun in the morning sky.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 19<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 72%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 8\u00b0 east-southeast of mag. +0.7 Saturn. Catch them both above the southeast horizon around 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 21<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThe first of two opportunities this month to catch our \u2018Moonwatch\u2019 target, the crater Hortensius, occurs this evening. Hortensius lies near an impressive series of six domes known as the Hortensius Omega dome field.<\/p>\n\n
Friday<\/strong> 10<\/h5>\n\nMag. +4.4 Theta (\u03b8) Virgin is is occulted by this morning\u2019s 74%-lit waxing gibbous Moon from 01:50 BST (00:50 UT) \u2013 times correct for the centre of the UK \u2013 ending just before both objects set.<\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 14<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThe full Moon at 12:52 BST (11:52 UT) occurs almost 12 hours before lunar perigee, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. Look out for this so-called \u2018supermoon\u2019 this morning to witness the Moon illusion.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 16<\/h5>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation today, the planet appearing 23.2\u00b0 west of the Sun in the morning sky.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 19<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 72%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 8\u00b0 east-southeast of mag. +0.7 Saturn. Catch them both above the southeast horizon around 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 21<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThe full Moon at 12:52 BST (11:52 UT) occurs almost 12 hours before lunar perigee, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. Look out for this so-called \u2018supermoon\u2019 this morning to witness the Moon illusion.<\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 16<\/h5>\n\nMercury reaches greatest western elongation today, the planet appearing 23.2\u00b0 west of the Sun in the morning sky.<\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 19<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 72%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 8\u00b0 east-southeast of mag. +0.7 Saturn. Catch them both above the southeast horizon around 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 21<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 72%-lit waning gibbous Moon lies 8\u00b0 east-southeast of mag. +0.7 Saturn. Catch them both above the southeast horizon around 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Tuesday<\/strong> 21<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nAt 10:14 BST (09:14 UT) the Sun reaches its most northerly position in the sky, a point in time called the Northern Hemisphere\u2019s summer or June solstice.<\/p>\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong> 22<\/h5>\n\nThe 40%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6.3\u00b0 to the east of mag. \u20132.2 Jupiter in the morning sky. <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 23<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nThis morning\u2019s 30%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 3.8\u00b0 east of mag. +0.5 Mars. <\/p>\n\n
Sunday<\/strong> 26<\/h5>\n\nThere\u2019s a gorgeous view of mag. \u20133.8 Venus near a 7%-lit waning crescent Moon above the northeast horizon this morning from 03:00 BST (02:00 UT), mag. \u20130.2 Mercury following about 40 minutes later. The Moon lies 1.9\u00b0 from Venus at 06:20 BST (05:20 UT).<\/p>\n\n
Monday<\/strong> 27<\/h5>\n\nMag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
Mag. \u20130.3 Mercury lies 3.3\u00b0 from the centre of a slender 3%-lit waning crescent Moon this morning. Catch the pair low above the northeast horizon around 04:00 BST (03:00 UT). <\/p>\n\n
Thursday<\/strong> 30<\/h5>\n\n<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n
<\/figure>\n\nClear skies at the end of June gives those with a low southern horizon a view of the Teapot asterism at the heart of Sagittarius. Binoculars pointed north of the spout will reveal wonderful deep-sky objects such as the Lagoon Nebula, M8, and the Trifid Nebula, M20.<\/p>\n\n