Realm of Darkness
An audible read version of this article is available
Published: 27th May 2022
June is moving towards one of the big battles of the year, against the light
May saw the release of images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. As well as the release of images of the Sagittarius A *, the super massive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way
And although the days have been getting longer, you can still take images of your own. With a number of astronomical bodies in a good position to view
First Week
Thursday, 2nd June
Hercules Globular Cluster M13 - Good Viewing
If you would like to view the M13 Hercules Globular Cluster, then tonight provides a good opportunity to view
"Messier 13" by Astrowimp, via Wikimedia Commons is marked with CC BY-SA 4.0
It should be clearly visible from about 23:45 UK, in a South-easterly direction
The Moon won't be a problem, with the New Moon having occurred a few days before
M13 can be located on the Hercules constellations right hip. And should be visible until sunrise, at just before five
A pair of binoculars or a telescope will be needed to view
Friday, 3rd June
M12 Globular Cluster - Good Viewing
Being a Friday night, it may be a good chance to view the M12 Globular Cluster, if you don't need to get up early the next day
"Messier 12" by NASA, ESA HST is marked as Public Domain
And should be visible from about 23:45 UK, in a Southerly direction
Although the Moon will be getting brighter, it shouldn't cause too much of an issue
M12 is located in the Ophiuchus constellation, and should be visible until about 2:20 on the 4th of June
You will need a pair of binoculars or a telescope to view
Saturday, 4th June
Saturn in Reverse
Saturday 4th of June means that Saturn goes retro, or rather enters retrograde motion
Before this date, Saturn appears to be moving in an easterly direction. After the fourth, it will appear to be moving in a westerly direction
This is just an optical effect due to the different rates of rotation, around the Sun
It is an interesting occurrence, in the mechanics of our solar system
Second Week
Monday, 6th June
M10 Globular Cluster - Good Viewing
If you would like to view the M10 Globular Cluster, then the 6th provides a good opportunity to view
"Messier 10" by 2MASS Catalog is marked as Public Domain
It should be visible from about 23:45 UK, in a Southerly direction
The Moon will be near its halfway point, and may cause a bit of difficulty viewing
M10 is located in the Ophiuchus constellation, in a similar location as the M12 Globular Cluster
M10 is faint, and with the Moonlight, a pair of binoculars or a telescope will be needed to view
Tuesday, 7th June
Daytime Arietid Meteor Shower
The Daytime Arietid Meteor Shower reaches its peak on Tuesday the 7th of June at around 11:00 (UK)
The meteor shower will be visible from around 2:30 AM (UK), in a North westerly direction. Located in the Aries constellation
You may be able to spot an Arietid meteor, during the day. However remain sensible, and don't risk your sight, by looking at the Sun or using devices such as binoculars or telescopes
Saturday, 11th June
M92 Globular Cluster - Good Viewing
If you wish to view the M92 Globular Cluster, then tonight may be a good opportunity
"Messier 92" by Sloan Digital Sky Survey is marked as CC BY 4.0
You can view it from around midnight, in a Southerly direction
Located in the Hercules constellation
Third Week
Tuesday, 14th June
Full Moon
In June, the Full Moon occurs on a Tuesday. It is also a Super Moon, which occurs when the Moon is closest to the Earth. Thus will appear bigger in the night sky
Sometimes referred to as a Strawberry Moon, thus will be a Super Strawberry Moon. Perhaps we should make a strawberry cheesecake from it
The Moon rises at around 22:10 UK and sets the next day just after 5:00. So may be ideal, if you are looking for an opportunity to view our enemy
Saturday, 18th June
IC4665 Good Viewing
Tonight is a good opportunity to view IC4665
The IC4665 Open Cluster is located in the Ophiuchus constellation, and should be visible from about midnight (UK). And can be found in a southerly direction
IC4665 will be difficult to view with the naked eye, and will need either a pair of binoculars or a telescope to view
Fourth Week
Tuesday, 21st June
Summer Solstice
One of the biggest battles against the light occurs on the 21st, with the Summer Solstice occurring for those living on the north of the planet
Some will be celebrating the longest day, but my Lords and Ladies of Darkness, will be celebrating too. Knowing the return to darkness is upon us
Fifth Week
Wednesday, 29th June
With the nights starting to get darker, the occurrence of the New Moon, may provide an ideal opportunity to view the growing darkness of the night skies
The Moon sets at around 21:45 UK, and will not rise again until around 5:00, the next day
Providing my Lords and Ladies with a chance to view the night sky, without the interrupting light of the Moon
Planet Spotting
If you are looking to view or photograph the planets of our solar system in June
Then this guide is designed to help you to find which planets, are visible and when
Mercury
Mercury is better viewed towards the end of June, rising about an hour before sunrise
Venus
Venus should be visible in the early morning, before sunrise, in June
As the days start getting shorter, there will be a longer period to view
Mars
Mars will appear close to Jupiter, in the mornings, at the start of June
Jupiter
Jupiter should be visible in June in the mornings. At the start of June, is will appear close to Mars
Saturn
Saturn will be visible in the mornings, during June
Associated Podcast / Video
Darkest Hour, Brightest Night also produce a podcast and video. Which gives you an overview of the events due to occur in June 2022
These should be released on the 30th May 2022, and the podcast can be found in the Podcast section. Or on your podcast app
The video can be found in the video section, or via Odysee or Youtube
Following us on social media will keep you up to date on the events mentioned in this article, and other related updates
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Written by: Ben Patmore
Ben Patmore is an amateur astrophotographer
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