June 2025: Sky Highlights and Celestial Events

June 2025 is set to be an exciting month for stargazers, with several notable celestial events and sky sights to look forward to. The moon will have some close encounters with various stars and planets throughout the month. The Arietid meteor shower will reach its daytime peak, offering a chance to listen for meteors via radar. The Milky Way will be visible, rising around midnight and forming an arch in the sky by late June. The Summer Triangle, consisting of Vega, Altair, and Deneb, will be a prominent feature in the night sky. Vega, the fifth brightest star, will be easily visible in the northeast after dark. The full Strawberry Moon will rise at sunset on June 11, and the summer solstice will occur on June 20. The planets will also put on a show. Venus will continue to shine brightly as the "Morning Star" in the east before dawn. Mars will be visible in the western sky as it gets dark, and Jupiter and Mercury will pair up in the west-northwest after dark on June 8. Saturn will be visible in the eastern sky rising around midnight, and Neptune will be nearby, though a telescope will be needed to see it. Uranus will emerge in the eastern sky after being in the sun's glare, and Pluto will be far out in the solar system, requiring images spaced days apart to spot. For those in the D. C. area, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy these celestial events. Shenandoah National Park will host presentations and activities, and various astronomy clubs and events will be taking place throughout the month. The Analemma Society will be pausing operations, but other astronomy activities will be available. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum will have loads of astronomy-related events and exhibits. Stargazers can also download NASA's 2025 Science calendar and The Planetary Society's Space Events 2025 Calendar for more information on space missions and events. The moon phases for June 2025 will be as follows: first quarter on June 3, full Strawberry Moon on June 11, last quarter on June 18, and new moon on June 25. These phases will provide different opportunities for stargazing and observing the night sky. The full Strawberry Moon will likely display a lovely yellow-orange color due to humidity, and the new moon will provide a dark sky for viewing the Milky Way and other celestial objects. June 2025 promises to be a month filled with celestial wonders and opportunities for stargazers to explore the night sky. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a casual observer, there will be plenty to see and enjoy. So mark your calendars and get ready to look up at the sky!