Summer returns to the northern hemisphere tonight at the moment of the summer solstice. The Sun stands farthest north in the sky for the entire year at the solstice, which also brings the year’s longest days.
Weekly Stargazing Tips
Provided by StarDate.org.Unless otherwise specified, viewing times are local time regardless of time zone, and are good for the entire Lower 48 states (and, generally, for Alaska and Hawaii).
June 20
June 21
Antares, the bright heart of the scorpion, is close to the lower right of the Moon as night falls this evening. It stays close to the Moon as they scoot across the south during the night.
June 22
The full Moon skirts low across the south tonight. It is in view for less time than any other full Moon of the year. It is known as the Flower Moon, Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon, or Honey Moon. The official moment of full Moon is 6:32 a.m. CDT tomorrow.
June 23
Arcturus, the leading light of Bootes, the herdsman, stands high in the south as twilight turns to darkness. It is the brightest star in the sky during the evening hours, so it’s hard to miss. It shines yellow-orange.
June 24
Today is Saint John’s Day, an ancient festival date that marked midsummer in England. In many cultures, the solstice was the midpoint of a season, not the beginning. The event was celebrated with giant bonfires the night before.
June 25
Below the curved tail of Scorpius, deep in southern skies, Ara, the altar, sends its tendrils of smoke billowing into the Milky Way. Although faint, Ara has a long history. It probably originated in Sumeria about 5,500 years ago.
June 26
Eltanin, an Arabic name that means “the serpent,” is the brightest star of Draco, the dragon, which is high in the north on summer evenings. It is as bright as the nearby North Star, Polaris.
