Planet Parade:

Venus is the brightest object in the night sky this month. Looking west, just after sunset, make a fist and hold it at arm’s length. Venus will be about two fists above the horizon.

Jupiter starts the month southeast (above and to the left) of Venus and is the second brightest object in the night sky. Take time to observe the motion of these “wandering stars” throughout the month as Jupiter moves closer to the horizon and passes within one degree of Venus on June 9.

Mercury can be found If you look closely just above the horizon, about two fists north (to the right) of Venus. Binoculars may help you pick it out of the evening twilight.

Saturn and Mars join the parade in the morning sky this month. Look to the east, just before sunrise and Saturn will be about three fists above the horizon with Mars, the brighter of the two, just above the horizon.

Constellations and Celestial Highlights:

Facing North, you will find the Big Dipper has rotated to the west and looks like it is hanging on a hook in a cosmic kitchen. The two stars on the outer edge of the bowl are nearly horizontal and point to Polaris, the North Star. Follow the arc of the three stars in the handle and “arc” to the red giant star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes.

Look for the sliver of a waxing crescent moon joins about halfway between Mercury and Jupiter on the 16th.

By mid-month, the “Summer Triangle” asterism makes its appearance in the east after 9:30 p.m. Look for three bright stars: blue-white Vega (in the constellation Lyra), blue super-giant Deneb (in the constellation Cygnus) and blue-white Altair (in the constellation Aquila). Compare the brightness and color of these with the red-giant, Arcturus.

For a challenge, get away from city lights and, using binoculars, try to find the Hercules star cluster. Look for the western edge of the trapezoid-shaped “keystone” that makes the core of Hercules, about two fist widths from Vega, toward Arcturus.

Free monthly star charts are available from https://kenpress.com/.

Fun Facts:

June’s full moon is called the Strawberry moon. It is not named for the color but, historically, Native Americans named it to mark the ripening of wild strawberries and other fruit.

Tech Talk:

Asterism: A pattern of stars that forms a recognizable shape. They can be part of a single constellation or made up of stars from multiple constellations. Examples include the Big Dipper and the Summer Triangle. Can you make your own asterisms?

Local Outreach Events:

Friday, June 5, 7-10 pm: Great Valley Museum Science Night, MJC West Campus (https://www.mjc.edu/gvm/index.html).

— Jim Brugger & Fred Yerzy

Open Sky Outreach - Star Tours and Telescope Talks

openskyoutreach@gmail.com