See The ‘Solstice Moon,’ A Red Giant And ‘Space Clouds:’ June’s Night Sky

June is when the nights are shortest in the northern hemisphere, yet also when stargazing gets easier. Camping trips, vacations, and more time spent outdoors naturally see an interest in the night sky pick up. If you can stay up late, the rewards this month are numerous, with a beautiful crescent moon shining close to the stars of Gemini and Leo, a big moon close to the brightest star in Scorpius, and noctilucent clouds visible in the northeastern night sky.

After the summer solstice on June 20, the first full moon of summer occurs on June 21, with a big rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center scheduled for June 25. So space fans and stargazers have plenty to get excited about in June 2024:

1. A Beautiful Crescent Moon

When: after sunset on Friday, June 7, through Monday, June 10

Where: above the western-southwestern horizon

There are four nights each month when a gorgeous crescent moon appears at dusk in the western sky, but most of us miss it. We don’t know if it’s there and/or if it’s cloudy. So here’s a forewarning that a crescent moon will shine close to the stars of Gemini, then Leo, across one long weekend in June. Just look west—and if you have binoculars, use them. You will see not only the spectacular crescent but also “Earthshine” subtly lighting up the “dark side” of the moon.

2. A Big Star And A Big Moon

When: after dark on Wednesday, June 19

Where: east-southeast

Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius, is an anchor star of summer skies. A red supergiant star 12 times the sun’s mass, it’s one of the biggest stars in the night sky. You can see it in the east tonight after dark, close to a big, bright, waxing gibbous moon.

3. Noctilucent Clouds

Where: northeastern night sky

When: evening twilight

Stargazers at latitudes between 50 and 70 degrees north of the equator may be able to observe noctilucent clouds this month. These “night shining” clouds or “space clouds” comprise icy dust and form about 50 miles up. They form mostly during June and July because the sun never sets far below the horizon. They’re best viewed with the naked eye or binoculars during twilight.

4. Midsummer Night’s Eve

When: Thursday, June 20

Where: sunrise and sunset

The solstice marks the start of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. It’s when the planet’s north axis is at its maximum tilt towards the sun. The moment of the solstice is at 15:51 EDT, but to witness it, you should try to watch the sun rising (at its farthest northeast of the year) and/or setting (at its farthest northwest). Solstice comes from the Latin words sol and sisto, meaning sun and stop, as the sunrise and sunset points remain the same for a few days.

5. The First Full Moon Of Summer

When: moonrise where you are on Friday, June 21

Where: east

Tonight’s the night to see June’s full “Strawberry Moon” rising in the east during dusk. Since the sun is at its highest in June in the northern hemisphere, the moon is at its lowest, with the “Strawberry Moon” the lowest-hanging and latest rising full moon of the year. Much like the sun in December. Occurring just a day after the solstice, the first of summer in the northern hemisphere is also called the “Hot Moon” and the “Planting Moon.”

6. A Big Rocket Launch

When: 5:16 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, June 25

Where: Kennedy Space Center, Florida (SpaceX YouTube channel)

If the schedule sticks, today will see a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket—on only its tenth outing—launch the NASA/NOAA GOES-U satellite into a geostationary orbit. It will launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, with the launch window opening at 5:16 p.m. EDT.

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Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.