"Cosmic Spectacles: Unveiling the Astronomical Extravaganza of June, July, and August!"

 

 

June events

June 9: Moon near Saturn

On June 9, at 20:19 GMT (04:19 p.m. EDT), the 62%-illuminated Moon will pass Saturn (mag 0.7) at a distance of 2°58'. You can find them both in the constellation Aquarius. The objects will share the same right ascension.

On the same day, at 22:29 GMT (06:29 p.m. EDT), the Moon and Saturn will also make a close approach at a distance of 2°42'. The objects will be too far apart to fit into the field of view of a telescope, but they will be easy to see without any special equipment.

June 14: Moon near Jupiter

On June 14, at 05:26 GMT (01:26 a.m. EDT), the 19%-illuminated lunar disk will be shining close to Jupiter (mag -2.1). The distance between the two bodies will be 1°22'. On the same day, the two objects will share the same right ascension. At the moment of conjunction, at 06:33 GMT, they will be 1°30' from each other.

Both the Moon and Jupiter will be in the constellation Aries. Stargazers will have around three hours before sunrise to see the bright planet next to the thin lunar crescent.

June 16: Moon near Mercury

On June 16, at 20:40 GMT (04:40 p.m. EDT), the Moon and Mercury will share the same right ascension. The distance between the two bodies will be 4°18'. Both objects will be in the constellation Taurus. Mercury will shine bright at a magnitude of -0.8, and the lunar disk will be almost invisible two days away from the New Moon. Aldebaran (mag 0.9) will also shine near Mercury. Spot both bright dots near the horizon in the morning.

June 22: Moon near Venus

On June 22, 2023, at 00:47 GMT (June 21, 08:47 p.m. EDT), the Moon and Venus will share the same right ascension in the constellation Cancer. The distance between them will equal 3°41'. The waxing crescent Moon will be 16% illuminated; Venus will have a magnitude of -4.4. You can observe the conjunction with a pair of binoculars or the naked eye.

June 22: Moon near Mars

On June 22, at 10:09 GMT (6:09 a.m. EDT), the Moon will meet Mars in the constellation Leo. Our natural satellite will pass 3°47' away from the planet. The Moon will be 19% illuminated, so you'll see a thin lunar crescent. Mars, at magnitude 1.7, will be relatively faint but visible to the naked eye. Look for them in the evening, just after sunset.

July events

July 7: Moon near Saturn

• Conjunction time: 03:05 GMT (July 6, 11:05 p.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 2°40'

• Close approach time: 04:59 GMT (12:59 a.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 2°25'

On July 7, 2023, observe the waning gibbous Moon (illumination 85.0%) near Saturn (mag 0.8). Both celestial bodies will be in the constellation Aquarius. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Moon and the ringed planet will rise around midnight and hang close to the horizon. In the Southern Hemisphere, they will rise at around 10 p.m. and travel across the sky all night, reaching the highest point by 3 a.m. local time.

July 11: Moon near Jupiter

• Close approach time: 19:44 GMT (03:44 p.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 2°03'

• Conjunction time: 21:18 GMT (05:18 p.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 2°13'

On July 11, 2023, find prominent Jupiter (mag -2.3) near the waning crescent Moon (illumination 41.5%) in the constellation Aries. Observers from the Northern Hemisphere can start observations at midnight. In the Southern Hemisphere, the planet will appear in the sky at around 2 a.m. local time.

July 19: Moon near Mercury

• Conjunction time: 08:57 GMT (04:57 a.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 3°30'

On July 19, 2023, Mercury (mag -0.4) will be next to the Moon (illumination 1.9%). The lunar disk will be almost invisible, as the conjunction will occur the day after the New Moon. The planet sets one hour after the Sun, so there won't be much time to see it in the sunset rays. Find the Moon and Mercury in the constellation Cancer.

July 20: Moon near Venus

• Conjunction time: 08:38 GMT (04:38 a.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 7°51'

On July 20, 2023, the bright planet Venus (mag -4.6) will meet the Moon (illumination 5.3%) in the constellation Leo. The lunar crescent will be thin and tricky to see. Observe the duo in the evening. You can also spot the prominent star Regulus (mag 1.4) and Mars (mag 1.8) shining nearby.

July 21: Moon near Mars

• Conjunction time: 04:00 GMT (12:00 a.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 3°16'

• Close approach time: 06:57 GMT (02:57 a.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 2°57'

On July 21, 2023, the waxing crescent Moon (illumination 10.3%) will be close to Mars (mag 1.8). Both objects will be observable after sunset, in the constellation Leo. Also, see Venus (mag -4.6) and Regulus (mag 1.4) forming a triangle with Mars.

August events

August 3: Moon near Saturn

• Conjunction time: 10:21 GMT (06:21 a.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 2°28'

• Close approach time: 12:03 GMT (08:03 a.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 2°15'

On August 3, 2023, the waning gibbous Moon (illumination 98.7%) will meet Saturn (mag 0.6) in the constellation Aquarius. Start your observations at about 10 p.m. local time. By that moment, the sky will get dark, and both celestial bodies will be over the horizon.

August 8: Moon near Jupiter

• Close approach time: 07:45 GMT (03:45 a.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 2°39'

• Conjunction time: 09:41 GMT (05:41 a.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 3°

On August 8, 2023, the last quarter Moon (illumination 56.7%) will shine next to bright Jupiter (mag -2.4). Both objects will be in the constellation Aries. They will rise after midnight. By that time, the sky will get dark, and you might see the star Hamal (mag 2.0) nearby.

August 18: Moon near Mercury

• Conjunction time: 11:26 GMT (07:26 a.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 6°56'

On August 18, 2023, two days after the New Moon, the almost invisible lunar disk (illumination 2.8%) will be near Mercury (mag 0.7). Both objects will be in the constellation Leo. Observe them in the evening, as well as Mars (mag 1.8) shining in the neighboring constellation Virgo.

August 18: Moon near Mars

• Conjunction time: August 18, 23:06 GMT (07:06 p.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 2°10'

• Close approach time: August 19, 01:17 GMT (August 18, 09:17 p.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 1°55'

On August 18, the thin lunar crescent (illumination 2.8%) will move to the constellation Virgo and meet Mars (mag 1.8). Both objects will be observable in the evening close to the horizon. Mercury (mag 0.7) will be the other bright dot near the Moon.

August 30: Moon near Saturn

• Conjunction time: 18:03 GMT (02:03 p.m. EDT)

• Conjunction distance: 2°29'

• Close approach time: 19:43 GMT (03:43 p.m. EDT)

• Close approach distance: 2°16'

On August 30, the Moon (illumination 99.5%) will shine next to Saturn (mag 0.4) in the constellation Aquarius. You will easily find them in the evening sky. Saturn will reach opposition on August 27, and the Super Full Moon will occur on August 31, so both celestial objects will be exceptionally bright. By the way, this Full Moon will also be the Blue Moon; read our dedicated article to learn what it means.

Wishing you clear skies and happy observations!