Welcome to this month’s update to find out what’s in the night sky for June.
In the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park, there is no astronomical darkness during this month, as the nights are in permanent twilight.
An all-sky view of the constellations from 12am in June from in-the-sky.org
Low on the southern horizon, you will see the constellation of Libra, with Corona Borealis and Boötes well-placed above. Boötes can be identified by its red giant Arcturus, which is the fourth brightest star in the night sky.
In the east, the summer constellations of Cygnus, Sagitta and Aquila rise, with Hercules, Lyra and Ophiuchus well-placed in the night sky.
The spring constellations of Corvis, Cancer, Virgo and Leo sets in the west.
The Full Moon occurs on 11th June and New Moon on 25th June.
Summer Solstice
This year, the Summer solstice occurs on Saturday 21st June 2025, the longest day and the shortest night of the year. There will be 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight.
At this time, the Northern Hemisphere is at its maximum tilt towards the Sun.
Noctilucent Cloud Season
The chances of seeing these shimmering night clouds increases during the month of June.
Depending on the strength of the ‘storm’, these can be seen between 90 and 120 minutes after sunset and before sunrise. If there’s a particular strong show, you may even be able to see them around 30 minutes after sunset.
Check the Spaceweather.com website to see the NOAA 21 observations.
The Planets in June
On 1st June, Venus will be at greatest western elongation, which means that its orbit is in a position that appears to be furthest west from the sun and if it was a vertex, it would form part of a right angle (90degrees) with the Sun and the Earth would be the arms. Each morning after this, Venus will move closer to the Sun. Venus rises in the east at 3.24 at the start of the month and 2.36am at the end.
Saturn rises in the east at 2.44am at the start of the month and 12.53am at the end.
Conjunction of the Moon, Saturn and Neptune
On 19th June, the Moon and Saturn will share the same right ascension and will be closely separated by 3°23′ of distance. Neptune is situated in the middle of the two objects which provides an opportunity to find it, but this may prove difficult due to the lighter nights. It’s well worth a try, especially on a still night. If you have a six-inch telescope, try to find it using high magnification. The conjunction will look pleasing through small binoculars. If you have binoculars set up on a camera tripod, you may be able to spot Neptune, although it will appear as a dim star.
Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
On 22nd June, the waning crescent Moon will pass 7°10′ north of Venus, sharing the same right ascension and will appear as lovely morning objects in the east.
Constellation of the Month
Each month, we will feature a constellation and the mythology behind it.
There are 88 IAU recognised constellations in the night sky and around 36 that are observable in the northern hemisphere. Some of the names of the 88 IAU recognised constellations are several thousands of years old.
With the advent of science and rational thinking, and more of a focus on the observable world, stars are no longer used for the farming calendar, for navigation or conveying social or religious values.
Get outside and see if you can spot these constellations. The best time to see each constellation we feature is around 90 minutes after sunset.
Constellation of the Month – Corona Borealis
Corona Borealis is a constellation that is easy to find once you know what you are looking for! Arrayed in a tight, semicircular pattern of stars, it is situated between the constellations of Boötes and the Great Cluster of Hercules. This month, it is positioned perfectly in the south at midnight. It can be found by looking for the Keystone Asterism in Hercules – look for the brightest star in the four-o-clock position from the asterism and you will see Arcturus, the fourth brightest star in the night sky, in the constellation of Boötes. In the centre of these two objects, look for a semicircular array of stars that resembles a crown; in fact, it is known as the Northern Crown.
Corona Borealis is associated with many mythologies across the world, such as Princess Ariadne of Crete of Greek legend, Woomera, the boomerang of Australia and the Camp Circle, named after the Cheyenne, who were indigenous people of Western United States.
Welsh mythology places this constellation Caer Arianrhod, the Castle of the Silver Circle, the celestial home of Lady Arianrhod, who was the daughter of Dôn.
In fact, the brightest star is called Gemma, which is Latin for the word jewel.
Spot Some Double Stars
Just because the nights are lighter, it doesn’t mean you can put away your binoculars. You can still search for double stars and open clusters.
Look for the star Zubenelgenubi and scan your binoculars slowly to the right – 17 and 18 Librae should appear as widely-spaced, orange stars.
These two pairs are known as visual binaries, which mean that they appear to the close to us from our standpoint on earth.
Three balls of stars
Stargazing in the summer can be a pleasant experience, especially with the warmer evenings.
If you have a telescope, it is worth looking for brighter objects such as globular clusters – they may appear a little dim through the eyepiece but they give you a taste of what is to come when astronomical darkness returns.
Grab your telescope, ideally 6-8 inches of aperture and get hunting!
Messier 3
RA: 13h 42m 11.62s | Dec: +28° 22′ 38.2″
Messier 3 is an object that is best seen in the spring but is still well-placed at midnight. Situated between the constellations of Coma Berenices and Boötes, this globular star cluster lies 34,000 light years away and comprises half a million stars. It appears as a tight ball of stars under very dark skies but in twilight will look somewhat fuzzy.
ESA/Hubble and NASA
Messier 5 (The Rose Cluster)
RA: 15h 18.6m | Dec: +02° 05´
Messier 5 is our second globular cluster to find which is situated in the constellation of Serpens. This object lies 24,000 light years away and contains 100,000 stars. It will look like a fuzzy patch with a smattering of stars; and it might be a challenge under lighter night skies.
ESA/Hubble and NASA
Messier 13 (The Great Cluster in Hercules)
RA: 16h 41m 41s | Dec: +36° 27′ 35″
The Great Cluster in Hercules (Messier 13) is also a great globular cluster which is easy and rewarding to find. Situated in the constellation of Hercules, it appears in the telescope as a bright ball of pinprick stars which can be resolved right to the core under darker skies. Containing 300,000 stars, it is situated 25,000 light years from Earth.
ESA/Hubble and NASA
