Now that it’s unofficially summer, skygazing nights in New York City are filled with magic. Meteor showers don’t start firing up again until July, but this month, Jupiter is the star of a sky show that also features Mars, Mercury, Saturn and the moon’s tilted orbit.
Let’s start with Jupiter, the largest of the planets. It’s at its biggest and brightest in June, rising at dusk and remaining visible to the naked eye all night. Grab a pair of binoculars or a telescope and you’ll be able to see its four largest moons. And, NASA says, you may also be able to see a trace of the banded clouds that encircle the planet. The best night to gaze at Jupiter is June 10, when it reaches its annual opposition with the Earth and the sun. That means all are aligned in a straight line, with Earth in the middle.
Mars and Mercury will appear like close twins after sunset on June 17-18. This requires careful timing to make sure you have a clear view of the western horizon. The two planets will only be a few degrees above the horizon. “But it should be spectacular if you can manage it,” NASA says on its website. Subscribe More is in store June 14-19. The June full moon — known as the full strawberry moon because this is the month […]
