This image of Venus (the bright light above Earth) was captured from the International Space Station by JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui in December 2015. Photo credit: NASA/JAXA
By Brooke Edwards
With warmer evenings, now is the perfect time to head outside and observe the beauty of the night sky. In June, three planets will stand out among the stars: Venus, Mars and Jupiter. These are the brightest planets in our sky and always a treat to see.
Venus becomes visible just above the western horizon right after sunset. Be sure to look early or you may miss it. The planet will appear as a bright “star,” but since it’s a planet, it will shine as a steady light that does not twinkle.
Mars will appear higher in the sky at dusk than Venus and more toward the southwest. Mars is easy to notice, as it sports a red hue. It’s exciting to think that in the coming years humans may visit the planet. Until then, don’t forget to keep up with the Perseverance rover, which is currently exploring an area of Mars for signs of ancient life. The rover is also conducting experiments, such as producing oxygen from carbon dioxide, that will benefit future human explorers.
Jupiter will rise in the eastern sky after midnight, approximately 2 a.m.. This bright and hard-to-miss planet makes a dazzling show for those up before sunrise. Look at Jupiter with good binoculars, and you may even spot a few of its many moons.
Lastly, the International Space Station appears frequently overhead. Find out when and where to see it over Northern Michigan at Spotthestation.nasa.gov.
Be sure to take advantage of clear skies on summer evenings while they last!
My next public stargazing event, weather permitting, is 9:30 p.m., June 18. We will meet at 5th Avenue Beach in Manistee. Email me: brookeofstars(at)gmail.com.
Brooke Edwards is our area’s NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador. She lives in Manistee.
