The month of June will be a great time to catch an incredible five-planet alignment. Space lovers and explorers will sure love what this month has to offer.
Planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, will align this June 3, early in the morning.
The rare phenomenon last occurred in 2004. This time, Mercury and Saturn will appear closer than they did before, according to Sky & Telescope magazine.
Planet mercury will be more visible as it turns brighter in June. The planetary alignment, however, requires binoculars for a clearer view. All the other planets will then be visible to the naked eye.
According to the magazine, the best time to see the phenomenon is 30 minutes before sunrise. Stargazers need a clear horizon and a calendar or schedule for the exact time of sunrise in the area.
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
This June 24, the waning crescent moon will align with planets Venus and Mars as well. The special event is listed by The Old Farmer’s Almanac, together with 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
The Old Farmer’s Almanac said that there would be one more lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse this year.
Partial Solar eclipses occur when our moon passes in front of the sun, blocking its light partially. 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
Meanwhile, the total lunar eclipse will happen on November 8, between 3:01 AM ET and 8:58 AM ET, and the following regions will witness it:
- Asia
- Australia
- Pacific
- South America
- North America
Meteor Showers
11 more meteor showers are projected to light the night skies in 2022:
- 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
