June 2023 begins with a close approach of Mars and the Beehive Cluster (M44) which can be seen on the first Friday of the month. The Full Strawberry Moon lights up the sky just a day later on June 3rd and, in the middle of the month, the peak of the daytime Arietid meteor shower is displayed along with a nice placement of Messier 92. June wraps up with a great view of the Lagoon Nebula and the open star cluster NGC 6633 well placed in the night sky.

(Looking to review last month's astronomy events? View May 2023)

Our highlighted list of astronomy events for June serves as your reference for key celestial sights to expect and to plan for.

14 Astronomical Events in June 2023:

Close approach of Mars and M44 - 6/2 @ 7:06pm EST
M13 is well placed - 6/2
M12 is well placed - 6/3
Full Strawberry Moon - 6/3 @ 11:41 EST
Venus at greatest eastern elongation - 6/4 @ 12:11pm EST
Asteroid 11 Parthenope at opposition - 6/6 @ 7:58am EST
M10 is well placed - 6/6
Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak - 6/11
M92 is well placed - 6/11
Close approach of Venus and M44 - 6/13 @ 8:30pm EST
IC 4665 is well placed - 6/18
June Solstice - 6/21 @ 10:54am EST
M8 is well placed - 6/23
NGC 6633 is well placed - 6/29

For easy navigation, click on a specific event listed above to go directly to that section of the article. Below, we will explore each of these events in greater detail.

Before we get started, let's briefly define a few technical terms used in this article:

Magnitude - Magnitude is simply the measure of an object's brightness. The lower the number the brighter the object. Conversely, the higher the number the fainter the object. For example, a magnitude -7.2 object is brighter than a magnitude +3.6 object. Without optical assistance, the naked eye can see a celestial object as dim as roughly magnitude +6.0.

Right Ascension - Right ascension is the celestial equivalent of geographic longitude. It is measured from the Sun's position during March Equinox at 00h00m00s (h=hours, m=minutes, s=seconds). This measurement increases towards the east until it completes a full circle at 24h00m00s.

Declination - Declination is the celestial equivalent of geographic latitude. It is measured northward or southward of the celestial equator as degrees (°), minutes(') and seconds ("). For example, the celestial equator has a declination of 0°0'0", the north celestial pole has a declination of +90°0'0" and the south celestial pole has a declination of -90°0'0".

AU (astronomical unit) - AU is a unit of length that measures the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

Angular Size - Angular size refers to a celestial object's apparent size as seen from an observer on Earth. It is measured in arcminutes(') and arcseconds(").

Astronomy events to mark on your June 2023 calendar:

June 2nd - Close approach of Mars and M44

Mars M44

The red planet, Mars, will pass within 10.4 arcminutes of the Beehive Cluster (M44) on the first Friday of June. The exact moment occurs at 7:06pm EST.

Both celestial objects will be close enough to fit within the field of view of a telescope or through a pair of binoculars. Mars will be shining at magnitude +1.6 and M44 at magnitude +3.1. These magnitudes are bright enough for this event to be seen with the naked eye.

This close approach will be positioned in the Cancer constellation at right ascension 08h40h30s. However, Mars will be positioned at a declination of +19°50' and M44 at a declination of +19°40'.

June 2nd - M13 is well placed

M13

The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) will reach its highest point in the sky on Friday, June 2nd around midnight local time.

Although too faint to be seen by the naked eye at magnitude +5.8, a small telescope or a pair of binoculars will allow you to gaze at this globular star cluster.

M13 will be positioned in the Hercules constellation at right ascension 16h41m40s and at a declination of 36°27'N.

Messier 13 was discovered by Edmond Halley in 1714, and cataloged by Charles Messier on June 1, 1764. The globular cluster is approximately 145 light-years in diameter and is composed of several hundred thousand stars (estimates varying from about 300,000 to over half a million).

June 3rd - M12 is well placed

M12

The globular cluster Messier 12 (M12) will reach its highest point in the sky on Saturday, June 3rd around midnight local time.

Shining at magnitude +6.1, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will be needed for you to observe this globular star cluster.

M12 will be positioned in the Ophiuchus constellation at right ascension 16h47m10s and at a declination of 1°56'S.

Messier 12 was discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier on May 30, 1764. It is approximately 16,400 light-years from Earth and has a spatial diameter of about 75 light-years.

June 3rd - Full Moon | Strawberry Moon

Full Moon

The Moon will reach peak illumination in its 29.5 day lunar cycle on Saturday, June 3rd at 11:41pm EST. This event occurs whenever the Moon's ecliptic longitude appears 180° away from the Sun's ecliptic longitude, as observed from Earth.

According to the Farmers' Almanac, in Native American cultures the Full Moon that occurs in June is referred to as the Strawberry Moon. The name is derived from the ripening of "June-bearing" strawberries that are ready to be gathered during this period.

The Full Strawberry Moon will appear positioned in the Scorpius constellation at right ascension 16h44m20s and a declination of 25°37'S. Its angular size will be 32'17".

During this time, the Moon rises above the eastern horizon at about sunset and sets below the western horizon at about sunrise the following day.

June 4th - Venus at greatest eastern elongation

Venus

Venus will appear at its widest separation from the Sun on Sunday, June 4th at 12:11pm EST. The planet will be positioned approxiamtely 45° east of the Sun shining at magnitude -4.3. This is referred to as its greatest eastern elongation. These wide separation moments occur roughly once every 1.6 years.

During the exact moment, Venus will be positioned in the Cancer constellation at right ascension 08h06m00s and a declination of 22°53'N. Its angular size will be 23.6".

June 6th - Asteroid 11 Parthenope at opposition

Asteroid

Asteroid 11 Parthenope will be at opposition and reach its highest point in the sky around midnight local time on Tuesday, June 6th. When a celestial object is "at opposition", this refers to its 180° position opposite to the Sun.

On this day, the asteroid also appears brightest in the night sky due to its closest approach to Earth, within 1.324 AU of us.

At a magnitude of just +9.5, a moderate sized aperture telescope will be needed to get a good glimpse of this celestial object.

Asteroid 11 Parthenope will be positioned in the Ophiuchus constellation at right ascension 16h58m10s and a declination of 16°20'S.

This asteroid was discovered by Annibale de Gasparis on May 11, 1850.

June 6th - M10 is well placed

M10

The globular cluster Messier 10 (M10) will reach its highest point in the sky on Tuesday, June 6th around midnight local time.

Shining at magnitude +6.6, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will be needed for you to observe this globular star cluster.

M10 will be positioned in the Ophiuchus constellation at right ascension 16h57m00s and at a declination of 4°05'S.

Messier 10 was discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier on May 29, 1764. It has a spatial diameter of 83 light-years and is estimated to be 14,300 light-years away from Earth.

June 11th - Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak

Meteor Shower

The Arietid meteor shower is active from April 14th to June 24th, and reaches its peak on Sunday, June 11th. Its radiant point, the area from which the shower appears to emanate, is positioned in the Aries constellation.

The meteor shower's ZHR will be around 50 meteors per hour. ZHR is an abbreviation for Zenithal Hourly Rate and is defined as the hourly rate a meteor shower produces with a clear, dark sky, with the radiant at the zenith (highest point directly above the observer).

The Arietids were discovered in 1947 and scientists suspect that they originate from the asteroid 1566 Icarus.

A few tips for viewing meteor showers:

Do not direct your gaze solely towards the radiant point. The closer a meteor is in proximity to its radiant point, the more difficult it is to see because of its shorter trail.
Place yourself in a dark, secluded location away from light pollution and bright city lights.
Allow for up to 30 minutes for your eyes to properly adjust to the dark environment.
Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather.
Bring a comfortable lawn chair to recline in or a blanket to lie back on.
Try to observe as wide an area of the sky as possible. The broader your view of the sky, the greater the chance of catching a glimpse of a meteor whizzing by.

June 11th - M92 is well placed

M92

The globular cluster Messier 92 (M92) will reach its highest point in the sky on Sunday, June 11th, around midnight local time.

Although too faint to be seen by the naked eye at magnitude +6.5, a small telescope or a pair of binoculars will allow you to clearly view this globular star cluster.

M92 will be positioned in the Hercules constellation at right ascension 17h17m00s and at a declination of 43°08'N.

Messier 92 was discovered by Johann Elert Bode on December 27, 1777. This cluster is approximately 26,700 light-years away from the Solar System.

June 13th - Close approach of Venus and M44

Venus M44

Venus will pass within 47.9 arcminutes of the Beehive Cluster (M44) on Tuesday, June 13th. The exact moment occurs at 8:30pm EST.

Both celestial objects will be close enough to fit within the field of view of a pair of binoculars but too widely separated to fit comfortably within the field of view of a telescope. Venus will be shining brightly at magnitude -4.4 and M44 at magnitude +3.1. These magnitudes are bright enough for this event to be seen with the naked eye.

This close approach will be positioned in the Cancer constellation at right ascension 08h41h20s. Venus will be at a declination of +20°25' and M44 at a declination of +19°40'.

June 18th - IC 4665 is well placed

IC 4665

The open star cluster IC 4665 will reach its highest point in the sky on Sunday, June 18th around midnight local time.

At magnitude +4.2, you may be able to see this with your naked eye from a dark site. However, a small telescope or a pair of binoculars will better assist your observation of this open star cluster.

IC 4665 will be positioned in the Ophiuchus constellation at right ascension 17h46m20s and at a declination of 5°38'N.

This cluster was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745 and is approximately 1,400 light years away from Earth.

June 21 - June Solstice

June Solstice

The June Solstice marks the beginning of the Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2023, this moment will arrive on June 21st at 10:54am EST. On this day, there will be 15 hours and 23 minutes of sunlight, making it the longest day of the year.

From our perspective on Earth, the Sun will appear at its highest point in the sky above the horizon. It appears at the lowest point during the Winter Solstice on December 21st.

During the June Solstice, the North Pole is tilted at its closest point towards the Sun.

This is also the shortest night of the year and it provides the smallest window of time for dark night celestial viewing.

June 23rd - M8 is well placed

The Lagoon Nebula (M8) will reach its highest point in the sky on Friday, June 23rd around midnight local time.

Shining at magnitude +5.8, you will need a small telescope or a pair of binoculars to view this emission nebula.

M8 will be positioned in the Sagittarius constellation at right ascension 18h03m40s and at a declination of 24°22'S.

The Lagoon Nebula was discovered by Giovanni Hodierna before 1654 and is considered to be somewhere between 4,000 to 6,000 light-years away from the Earth.

June 29th - NGC 6633 is well placed

NGC 6633

The open star cluster NGC 6633 will reach its highest point in the sky on Thursday, June 29th around midnight local time.

At magnitude +4.6, you may be able to see this with your naked eye from a dark site, however, a small telescope or a pair of binoculars will greatly assist your observation of this open star cluster.

NGC 6633 will be positioned in the Ophiuchus constellation at right ascension 18h27m10s and at a declination of 6°30'N.

This cluster was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745-46 and it is estimated to be 660 million years old.

Plan your observations

Now that you have a better idea of the celestial events occurring in the night sky this month, make sure to plan for your observation sessions. Some of the events discussed above can be seen without any special optical equipment. However, a quality pair of binoculars or a premium telescope will significantly enhance your viewing experience.

If you're in the market for purchasing or upgrading your astronomy gear, we have a curated selection of binoculars, telescopes and accessories from which to choose. Our online store offers high quality optics from industry-leading brands at value prices to help you explore the world above.

Feel free to browse our telescope collection or browse our binoculars.

If you are unsure where to begin, please read How To Choose The Right Telescope or How To Choose The Right Binoculars for additional guidance.

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June 2023 Astronomy Events