The Nantucket Sky in June 2008

The Nantucket Sky in June 2008

The Stargazer Report is a monthly report courtesy of Vladimir Strelnitski, the Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association.

(All times are given in Eastern Standard Time)

The Sun

(for the first and last days of the month)
Sunrise: 5:09 am; 5:11 am
Sunset: 8:08 pm; 8:17 pm

The Moon

New Moon: June 3, 03:23 pm
First Quarter: June 10, 11:04 am
Full Moon: June 18, 02:30 pm
Last Quarter: June 26, 08:10 am

Planets

Mercury: Too close to the Sun to be observed, except for the second half of the month, when there is a chance to see it low in the Eastern sky, shortly before sunrise.

Venus: Too close to the Sun to be observed

Mars: An evening object, in the south-western part of the sky, passing from Cancer to Leo – closer and closer to Saturn and the brightest Leo star Regulus. It is very far from the Earth now, and its visible disk is about four times smaller than it was near the last opposition, in December 2007.

Jupiter: A very bright object in Sagittarius. Rises at about 11 pm and is seen the best in the morning.

Saturn: An all-night object. In the evening, it is seen high in the south-west, still close to Leo’s brightest star Regulus. Come to see this planet with its gorgeous rings and moons through our 8” Clark telescope at Loines Observatory, at any scheduled open night!

Meteor Showers

No prominent meteor showers in June. Wait until the end of July and August for Delta Aquarid (July 29) and, especially, Perseid (August 12)!