The increasingly summery temperatures make night outings more pleasant. Why not take the opportunity to admire the sky? These are the astronomical phenomena that are easy to see in June 2023.
May 2023 ends with the maximum elongation of Mercury. A new month of astronomical observations is now beginning, always facilitated by the spring temperatures of June. Among other things, we can expect a very bright Venus, several coming together of stars as well as a swarm of shooting stars. All this, visible even without a telescope – but, if such a purchase tempts you, then consult our guide to glasses and telescopes to admire the sky.
Here are the dates to note so you don’t miss any celestial phenomena in June 2023.
Moon phases
Even in 2023, reaching the Moon remains complicated. For professional astronomers, the brightest star in the night sky still remains mysterious: it has only just been discovered that the Moon is indeed hiding something in its heart. And, for astronomy enthusiasts, even absolute beginners, the Moon is a perfect target: you can see formations on its surface with the naked eye or with binoculars. You can also follow the lunar phases throughout the month.
- THE Sunday June 4, it is the full moon. It is then at the opposition — the opposite of the Sun with respect to the Earth.
- THE Saturday June 10 corresponds to the last quarter of the Moon. The Moon is in western quadrature.
- Then the Sunday June 18, it is the new moon. No need to try to see it: being in conjunction with the Sun, the star presents us with a completely dark side.
- Finally, we find a half-moon on Monday, June 26, with the first quarter. The Moon is in eastern quadrature.
Planets visible to the naked eye
All the planets visible to the naked eye are present at the beginning of the month. Then, Mercury withdraws from the night sky. Nevertheless, there are still Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn to enchant our nights – or relieve boredom during insomnia.
The following table indicates the schedules of visibility of the planets, and in which constellations to see them.
| Mercury | Venus | March | Jupiter | Saturn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 1 to 4 | 5:40 a.m. – 5:50 a.m. Ram | 9:50 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Gemini | 9:50 p.m. – 12:50 a.m. Cancer | 5 a.m. – 5:50 a.m. Ram | 3h20 – 5h50 Aquarius |
| From 5 to 11 | invisible | 10 p.m. – 12:20 a.m. Cancer | 10 p.m. – 12:20 a.m. Cancer | 4h40 – 5h40 Ram | 2h50 – 5h40 Aquarius |
| From 12 to 18 | invisible | 10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m. Cancer | 10 p.m. – 12:20 a.m. Cancer | 4h10 – 5h40 Ram | 2h20 – 5h40 Aquarius |
| From 19 to 25 | invisible | 10 p.m. – 11:50 p.m. Cancer | 10 p.m. – midnight Lion | 3h50 – 5h40 Ram | 1h50 – 5h40 Aquarius |
| From 26 to 30 | invisible | 10 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Lion | 10 p.m. – 11:40 p.m. Lion | 3h20 – 5h50 Ram | 1h30 – 5h50 Aquarius |
Other astronomical phenomena
Finally, here are the other astronomical phenomena that punctuate this month of June 2023 in the sky of metropolitan France.
- THE Sunday June 4, this is the greatest elongation of Venus. The planet is east of the Sun. It is therefore necessary to look for it at dusk, in the evening after sunset.
- THE Saturday June 10the last quarter Moon is very close to Saturn.
- Another conjunction occurs on Wednesday June 14with a binomial between the Moon and Jupiter.
- THE Wednesday June 21it’s the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, at 4:57 p.m. very precisely.
- THE Thursday June 22the Moon is in conjunction with Venus in the evening.
- THE Tuesday, June 27it is the maximum activity of a swarm of shooting stars, the Bootids.
The observation of the sky can begin! We wish you beautiful starry nights and, of course, good weather for admiring the stars in June.
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