Woking Planetarium

Read our June sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!

Map

Constellations

These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.

Scorpius, the Scorpion, is visible just above the southern horizon, moving from east to west during the night. You’ll need a clear horizon to see it! Primarily a southern constellation, Scorpius is not often seen from the UK. Its brightest star is the variable star Antares, which forms the centre of the constellation.

Cepheus, the King, is a circumpolar constellation seen in the north eastern sky just after sunset. It rises higher through the night, getting closer to the zenith before dawn each night as the months goes on. Cepheus forms a distinctive house shape next to its brighter neighbour, Cassiopeia.

Virgo, the Maiden, is the second largest constellation in the sky. One of the Zodiac constellations, it can be seen in the south west after sunset, setting in the west during the night. It appears higher at the beginning of the month, so spends longer in the sky too. Look for the bright variable star Spica.

Planets

Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen this month. It appears on the eastern horizon immediately before sunrise, but stays only a few degrees above it. Venus will be at dichotomy on the 1^st, in conjunction with Eris on the 4^th, at aphelion on the 11^th, and in conjunction with the Moon on the 22^nd.

Mars appears in the western sky at sunset, setting soon after the Sun. It appears higher, and is therefore visible longer, at the beginning of the month. Mars will be in conjunction with the Moon 1^st, and undergo lunar occultation on the 30^th.

Jupiter is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Saturn can be seen low on the eastern horizon in the morning sky, rising earlier and climbing higher towards the end of the month. It will be difficult to see before mid month as it stays very low. Saturn will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 19^th, and with Neptune on the 29^th.

Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It is only in the sky just before sunrise at the end of the month, and stays too low on the north eastern horizon to be easily seen.

Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. Neptune stays very close to Saturn this month, in conjunction with it on the 29^th.

Meteor Showers

The Daytime Arietids reach their peak on the night of the 10^th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Aries. Meteors will be visible between 02:22 and 03:57 BST, when Aries is in the sky. Best displays are likely to be just before dawn, as Aries reaches its highest point late morning. You will be able to see up to 10 meteors per hour, due to the radiant’s low altitude.

Moon

Full Moon: 11^th

Last Quarter: 18^th

New Moon: 25^th

First Quarter: 2^nd

The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 23^rd and apogee, its furthest point on the 7^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 11^th and perihelion, its closest point, on the 25^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

Points of Interest

The Great Globular Cluster (Messier 13) in the constellation of Hercules is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 2^nd. It is visible all night, from about 23:17 to 02:41 BST. Best views will be around its highest point in the sky, at 01:01 BST. The Great Globular Cluster is one of the largest clusters in the sky, containing several hundred thousand stars. You will need binoculars to see it, but at least a four-inch telescope to resolve individual stars.

The globular cluster Messier 12 in the constellation of Ophiuchus is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 3^rd. It is visible all night, from about 23:19 to 02:40 BST. Best views will be around its highest point in the sky, at 01:02 BST. You will need binoculars to see it.

The globular cluster Messier 10 in the constellation of Ophiuchus is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 5^th. It is visible all night, from about 23:23 to 02:36 BST. Best views will be around its highest point in the sky, at 01:04 BST. You will need a small telescope to see it.

The globular cluster Messier 92 in the constellation of Hercules is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 11^th. It is visible all night, from about 23:32 to 02:29 BST. You will need a small telescope to see it.

The open cluster IC 4665 in the constellation of Ophiuchus is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 18^th. It is visible all night, from about 23:39 to 02:24 BST. Best views will be around its highest point in the sky, at 01:02 BST. You will need binoculars to see it.

The June Solstice, the longest day of the year, occurs on the 21^st.

The open cluster NGC 6633 in the constellation of Ophiuchus is well placed for observation in the weeks ahead, particularly on the 28^th. It is visible all night, from about 23:38 to 02:28 BST. Best views will be around its highest point in the sky, at 01:04 BST. You will need binoculars to see it.

Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.

Last updated: 17^th April 2025.