 |
| Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version |
|
|
|
The end of June and the beginning of July bring some wonderful opportunities to get outside after dark, from June's spectacular full Strawberry Moon to one of the summer sky's finest signposts, the Summer Triangle. Later in the week, early risers can hunt down a close encounter between Mars and Uranus before finishing the week beneath the rich star fields of Scorpius.
Elsewhere in this issue, we're explaining why this year's Strawberry Moon is unlike any other full moon, taking a closer look at the giant Scorpion stretching across the summer sky and showcasing remarkable footage of China's Tiangong space station crossing the moon, captured by an amateur astrophotographer.
Here's what to watch for in the nights ahead.
Daisy Dobrijevic
Skywatching Editor
|
|
 |
| (Starry Night) |
The full Strawberry Moon rises as the sun sets, illuminating the night from dusk until dawn. It will be the lowest-hanging full moon of the year and the first full moon of summer for the Northern Hemisphere.
|
|
 |
| (Starry Night) |
One of the easiest star patterns to find returns to prominence this week. Look high in the eastern sky for the Summer Triangle, formed by the brilliant stars Vega, Deneb and Altair.
|
|
 |
| (Starry Night) |
Before dawn, Mars passes close to the distant ice giant Uranus in a rewarding binocular target. Mars' distinctive orange glow makes it relatively easy to find, while Uranus appears as a faint blue-green point nearby.
|
|
 |
| (Starry Night) |
|
Scorpius dominates the southern sky on summer evenings, with fiery red Antares marking the heart of the celestial Scorpion. If you have a telescope, sweep just west of Antares to find the nearby globular cluster M4 — one of the closest star clusters of its kind to Earth and a rewarding target under dark skies.
|
|
|
|
|
Don't miss June's full Strawberry Moon rise tonight (June 29), marking the first full moon of summer with a golden glow and an eye-catching moon illusion.
|
|
|
|
Think all full moons look the same? June's Strawberry Moon rises and sets at extreme points, tracing an unusually low path across the Northern Hemisphere sky.
|
|
|
Scorpius is one of the few constellations that actually resembles its namesake — and this summer is the perfect time to find it.
|
|
|
Our new Space.com app takes you out of this world, every day, for the latest space mission news, astronomical discoveries, night sky guides and more.
|
|
|
|
The Tiangong space station approaches Tycho Crater in stunning amateur transit footage.
|
|
|
| Astronomy Kit and Accessories |
|
|
The best solar telescopes suitable for the next solar eclipse.
|
|
|
The Celestron Origin Mark II smart telescope will have you capturing crisp images of deep-sky objects within minutes of taking it out of the box.
|
|
|
| Stay up-to-date on all things space science, news, and entertainment by subscribing to our newsletters. |
|
 |
|
 |
Follow Night Sky This Week |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
When you purchase through links in our content, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Future US LLC © |
| Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. |
|
|
|
|
