Image Source: REUTERS
June is going to be an exciting month for those who love space. Five planets will line up together, making it one of the rarest phenomena.
This Friday, June 3, the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will align.
The five-planet alignment has not been observed since 2004, and this time, says Sky & Telescope, Mercy and Saturn will appear closer to each other.
As June passes, planet Mercury will turn even brighter and very visible to the naked eye. The planetary alignment would require binoculars for a clearer view. As the month ends, all the other planets will be visible to the naked eye.
The best time to witness the wonders of a starry night sky is just before sunrise. To spot this incredible phenomenon, interested parties should check their area’s calendars or schedules for the exact time of the sunrise. In addition, they are advised to get as clear of a horizon as possible.
Viewers living in the Northern Hemisphere can witness the planets from the eastern to the southeastern horizon, while those in the opposite hemisphere should see the planets on the eastern to the northeastern horizon.
Full Moons
In addition, June 24 will be an eventful night for sky watchers. On this date, the waning crescent moon falls in alignment between Venus and Mars. The Old Farmer’s Almanac also lists seven other full moons this year:
- June 14: Strawberry moon
- July 13: Buck moon
- August 11: Sturgeon moon
- September 10: Harvest moon
- October 9: Hunter’s moon
- November 8: Beaver moon
- December 7: Cold moon
Eclipses
Old Farmer’s Almanac further revealed one lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse this year.
Partial Solar eclipses happen when the moon passes in front of the sun, blocking its light. The partial solar eclipse this year will happen on October 25 and will be visible in these areas:
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Europe
- Northeastern Africa
- Middle East
- Western Asia
- India
- Western China
The total lunar eclipse, on the other hand, will occur on November 8, between 3:01 AM ET and 8:58 AM ET, and it will be visible in these places:
- Asia
- Australia
- Pacific
- South America
- North America
Meteor Showers
This year, there are 11 more meteor showers lighting the skies:
- Southern delta Aquariids: July 29 to 30
- Alpha Capricornids: July 30 to 31
- Perseids: August 11 to 12
- Orionids: October 20 to 21
- Southern Taurids: November 4 to 5
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
