The June Sky

Paul Curtin


Events in June: Observers in the United States will be able to observe the moon occult Antares on 7 June.

The region east of Canes Venatici and Coma Berenices is occupied by Bootes, a distinct kite-shaped constellation with bright Arcturus at its base. There are numerous multiple stars and one nice globular cluster (NGC 5566, north of alpha). The remaining deep sky objects are rather faint galaxies.

East of Bootes is the compact half-circle of Corona Borealis. Alpha is variable and there are a number of multiple stars sprinkled throughout the constellation. The deep sky treasures here require very large telescopes.

South of Corona is the string of stars that constitute Serpens Caput. This is the western segment of the serpent, a constellation interrupted by Ophiuchus. The most significant object here is the globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904) west of omega near the Virgo border.

South of Serpens Caput is the form of Libra. Libra takes the theme of sparse northern Spring star fields to extremes. Though it borders the Milky Way, it has only one noteworthy object, the faint globular cluster NGC 5897, near iota.

South of Libra we encounter a different type of region. Lupus contains many fine multiple stars and deep sky objects befitting its Milky Way address. In addition to the fine globular and planetary nebulae, observers should note the dark nebula Barnard 228 running roughly parallel to psi-1 and psi-2.

Tucked into the region east of bright Rigel Kent is the tiny triangle of Circinus. Look for the open clusters NGC 5288, 5359, 5715 and 5823, and the planetary nebula NGC 5315.

In the southern circumpolar region is faint Apus, containing primarily galaxies--but don’t miss the globulars NGC6101 and IC 4499.

Planets in June

Mercury is in the morning sky. Look for it near Aldebaran towards the end of the month.

Venus is a very bright morning object.

Mars is in the morning sky in Aries. Contrast its faint ruddy color with brilliant-white Venus around mid-month.

Jupiter is a bright morning sky object.

Saturn is in Leo.

Bibliography

Burnham, Robert Jr., Burnham's Celestial Handbook, New York: Dover, 1978.

Cooper, I., Kay, J., Kepple, G. R. The Night Sky Observers Guide, volume 3, Richmond, Virginia, Willman-Bell, 2008.

Kelly, P. (ed.), Observers Handbook 2007, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006.

Kepple, G. R., Sanner, G. W., The Night Sky Observers Guide, Richmond, Virginia: Willman-Bell, 1999.

Tirion, W., Rappaport, B., Remaklus, W., Uranometria Deep Sky Atlas, Richmond, Virginia: Willman-Bell, 2000.

Webb, T. W., Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes, New York: Dover, 1962.

_____________________________
The Citizen Scientist (05 June 2009).