In the night sky this week, Mercury hangs low on the horizon 45 minutes after sunset.
Mars is above Mercury in the constellation of Leo. The red planet is nearing the heart of Leo, the star Regulus. On the 16th, the planet will be less than a degree from the star. Mars is red in color, and Regulus is a brilliant white, both being the same brightness.
In the morning, the bright object you see around a couple of hours before sunrise in the east is Venus, the closest planet to us. If you are patient, you can follow Venus as the sun comes up.
Saturn has pulled much farther from Venus, rising after midnight in Pisces.
The first day of summer begins Friday, June 20, with the sun at the most northernly point in the sky. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year for people north of the equator.
So, grab a telescope or binoculars, and enjoy the cosmic spectacle this week has to offer through June 20. The night sky is putting on quite a show this week—let’s take a look at what’s up there!