Discover top planets to gaze at in June 2025 and strategies for their observation
Light up Your Nights: Planetary Watch featuring Mercury in June 2025!
After a mesmerizing planet parade earlier in the year, it's time to catch up with our celestial neighbors in June 2025! As the evenings get longer and brighter, some planets fade into obscurity, but fear not, because Mercury takes center stage this month!
So, What's Happening with Mercury?
For stargazers, June 15 is the golden hour to catch a glimpse of the fastest planet in our solar system. With just 40 minutes after sunset, you'll find Mercury low in the western sky, glowing at an altitude of 5°. Now, don't let its humble appearance fool you - a 100mm or larger telescope will reveal a 5-arcsecond disc with a gibbous 74%-lit phase.
Other Key Dates to Remember:
- On June 8, Mercury and Jupiter harmonize in the post-sunset sky, setting about one hour after sunset.
- The 26th and 27th of June present a picture-perfect scene as a thin waxing crescent Moon meanders from the right to the left of Mercury.
Playing Hide and Seek: The Other Planets in June 2025
While Mercury takes center stage, here's a lowdown on what the other planets are up to:
Mars
Still a decent evening object, Mars holds court in Leo throughout June. On the very first day, it's positioned 6° west of a 37%-lit waxing crescent Moon. After mid-month, Mars pays a visit to Regulus, the heart of Leo, demonstrating a close pass on June 16 and 17. By the end of June, a 22%-lit waxing crescent Moon is just 1.7° west of Mars, offering a stunning tableau as the month wraps up.
Jupiter
A challenging catch this month, Jupiter negotiates its way through twilight until June 24, achieving solar conjunction. On June 8, it joins forces with Mercury in the post-sunset sky.
Venus
Emerging as the Morning Star, Venus shines brightly in the eastern sky, rising nearly 2.5 hours before the Sun by the end of the month. It reaches its greatest western elongation on June 1 and appears 23 arcseconds across and 50% lit on this date. The 22nd of June offers a lovely sight when a 15%-lit waning crescent Moon is 5.9° north of Venus.
Saturn
Hidden in the morning sky at the start of the month, Saturn gradually improves its position towards the end of June. Shining at mag. +0.8 on June 1, Saturn brightens to +0.7 by the end of the month. On June 19, a 46%-lit waning crescent Moon is 2° north of Saturn at 2:50 BST, presenting an intriguing celestial arrangement.
Uranus and Neptune
Both planets remain elusive this month, requiring optical aid for observation. Uranus reappears in the morning sky before dawn, while Neptune is near Saturn, with a conjunction occurring on June 292.
Don't forget to capture and share your planetary adventures and images with us by emailing contactus@our website! Happy stargazing!
- The forthcoming Planetary Watch in June 2025 is not only about Mercury, as other planets like Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune also have interesting positions in the night sky.
- June 2025 is an exciting time for environmental-science enthusiasts and technology enthusiasts alike, as it provides an opportunity to observe the movements and phases of various planets, including Mercury and Venus, using telescopes.
- The field of space-and-astronomy offers countless chances for discovery and appreciation, and events like the Planetary Watch in June 2025 highlight the importance of observing our celestial neighbors and understanding our environment.
