admin Everything about the celestial marvels of June 2024, from the extraordinary planetary alignment ‘Parade of Planets’ to the captivating Strawberry Moon. It’ll all start in two days
1. Moon and Mars Conjunction, Parade of Planets (June 3)
Start off the month with a captivating celestial double feature. Get up early in the morning to witness a mesmerizing spectacle as the Moon and Mars converge, a mere 2°09′ apart in the morning sky.
Think of an enchanting crescent Moon, 25 days old, gracefully gliding near the radiant glow of Mars amidst the Pisces constellation. But wait, that’s not it – there is more to this celestial magic!
Brace yourself for the grand alignment of six planets in our Solar System like a Parade of Planets. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will transverse the heavens along a shared trajectory, creating a breathtaking celestial procession.
Set an alarm for the predawn hours, around 4:30 to 5:30 AM, for the optimal viewing window in India. And don’t forget your telescope for an up-close encounter with this celestial ballet.
2. An Arietids Meteor Shower In The Daytime (June 10)
Prepare yourself for a celestial extravaganza as nature is about to unveil its own fireworks display with the Daytime Arietids Meteor Shower on June 10th. This awe-inspiring event will occur as our planet intersects the cosmic debris trails left behind by passing asteroids and comets.
Set your alarm and mark your calendars to witness this spectacular phenomenon, as Earth ventures through these celestial pathways, igniting a mesmerizing shower of meteors.
1. June Solstice (June 21)
June 21st heralds the June Solstice, a pivotal moment when the Northern hemisphere experiences its longest day of the year, signaling the arrival of summer. Conversely, it marks the shortest day in the Southern hemisphere, denoting the onset of winter.
This astronomical event marks the official commencement of summer in the North and winter in the South, as recognized by astronomers worldwide.
2. Full Moon (June 22)
The Full Strawberry Moon graces the sky on June 22nd, peaking at 01:08 GMT. Look for it a day before and after. After sunset on June 21st, catch it rising with a yellow tint in the southeast. Its low position in the Northern Hemisphere sky is due to its proximity to the June 20th solstice.
Despite its name, it won’t be pink but derives from Native American strawberry gathering traditions.
3. Peak of the June Bootids Meteor Shower and Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn (June 27)
Circle June 27 on your calendar for a double dose of celestial splendor.
First up is the peak of the June Bootids meteor shower, spanning from June 22 to July 2, with the most impressive display expected around June 27. Keep your eyes peeled for mesmerizing spectacle as these meteors paint the night sky with their fleeting brilliance.
But that’s not all! In the dawn hours, cast your gaze towards the heavens to witness a celestial rendezvous between the Moon and Saturn. This captivating conjunction, set against the backdrop of the Aquarius constellation, promises a close encounter worth waking up early for.
Don’t miss out on this celestial dance unfolding in the early Indian sky.
4. Commencement of Saturn’s Retrograde Motion (June 30)
Prepare yourself for a celestial spectacle as Saturn embarks on its retrograde journey on June 30th. During this intriguing event, Saturn will seemingly defy its usual forward motion, appearing to backtrack in the sky. This phenomenon occurs due to a fascinating interplay of Earth’s orbit around the Sun and the relative positions of the two planets.
Keep in mind that this retrograde motion is a prelude to Saturn’s upcoming opposition, a phenomenon commonly observed among the outer planets of our Solar system.
