SkyEye

The Calendar

The Solar System

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for 'wanderer'. Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars. Dwarf planets and small solar-system bodies, including comets, are not so constrained, often moving far above or below the ecliptic.

Sun Taurus → Gemini

Mercury Aries → Taurus → Gemini

Mercury is a morning sky object, reaching greatest elongation west on 5 June. It is best seen from southern latitudes.

Venus Taurus → Gemini

Venus reachs superior conjunction three days after Saturn goes through opposition; thus, these two planets are practically on opposite sides of the Sun. This brightest of planets is lost in the solar glare but will reappear in the evening sky next month.

Mars Libra

At opposition last month, the red planet is well placed for viewing as darkness falls, not setting until after midnight.

Jupiter Leo

Quadrature is an excellent time to observe the gas giants as the interplay of shadows between the planets and their satellites is at its most pronounced. Jupiter reaches east quadrature on the 4 June and is setting around midnight.

Saturn Ophiuchus

Because it is at opposition on 3 June, Saturn is visible all night.

Uranus Pisces

This green-coloured ice giant is now well away from the Sun and rises about 90 minutes after Neptune.

Neptune Aquarius

A small telescope is necessary to view the most distant planet in the solar system. At west quadrature on the second day of the month, Neptune rises around midnight. Weather permitting, parts of northern Europe will be able to observe the Moon occult this blue ice giant on 25 June.