June sky brings conjunctions between celestial stars

For observers of the night sky, the month of June arrives bringing several conjunctions between celestial bodies .

After busy months, with meteor showers, comets and eclipses, those who are passionate about astronomy will have to be content with enjoying the conjunctions between the stars.

A conjunction occurs when two or more celestial bodies appear very close together in the sky — an optical illusion, as they are separated by thousands of kilometers in space.

Conjunctions are generally observable with the naked eye, and tend to produce beautiful astronomical photos.

In addition to the celestial stars, June also marks the beginning of a new season, with the Winter Solstice in the southern hemisphere on the 20th, the shortest day of the year.

See below the main astronomical phenomena of the month of June according to guide to astronomical ephemerides at the Valongo Observatory, at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) .

• 2/6: Conjunction between Moon and Mars before dawn, towards the east;
• 4/6: Conjunction between Jupiter and Mercury, in the east direction. The stars will be separated by just 0.1°, but they will be very close to the horizon, just before dawn;
• 5/6: Conjunction between the Moon, Jupiter and Mercury, in the west direction. The stars will be very close to the horizon, during twilight, just before dawn;
• 6/27: Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn, during the early hours of the morning;
• 6/28: Jupiter passes next to the Hyades star cluster, before dawn, in an easterly direction.

O astronomical ephemeris guide has been produced since 2016 by Valongo Observatory from the UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) and brings the main phenomena that can be seen in the night sky each year.

With the aim of reviving interest in celestial contemplation, the material lists month by month which celestial bodies will be visible and the best way to look for them. In addition to providing simple explanations about astronomy.

The complete guide, with sky maps, can be downloaded for free here .

check out here astronomy apps to help locate and track astronomical phenomena in the night sky.