If you’re looking for a stellar experience this month, June promises to offer some of the most breathtaking celestial events involving the Red Planet, Mars. As Mars continues its journey across the night sky, it will align with prominent stars and the moon in a series of stunning astronomical phenomena. Following its January opposition, the planet has been moving away from Earth, but it remains a bright and captivating object in the sky. The events occurring this June will be a treat for amateur astronomers and casual sky watchers alike. According to Space.com, Mars will team up with Regulus, the bright star in the Leo constellation, before it comes close to the crescent moon later in the month.
Mars and Regulus: A Stunning Conjunction in the Sky
One of the most anticipated events of June is the close conjunction between Mars and Regulus, which will occur between June 13 and June 20. Regulus, a brilliant blue-white star located in the heart of the Leo constellation, will appear remarkably close to Mars. This close alignment will provide a stunning visual spectacle in the early evening sky. The two objects will be positioned just 2 degrees apart, with the closest separation occurring between June 15 and June 18. For observers located around 40 degrees north latitude, the alignment will be particularly striking, with Mars positioned almost directly above Regulus on June 17. While neither Mars nor Regulus are the brightest objects in the sky, their closeness and similar magnitude make them stand out against the backdrop of the night. Mars will have an orange-gold hue, while Regulus will shine with its characteristic blue-white glow, creating a striking contrast that is sure to catch the eye of any stargazer.
The Crescent Moon and Mars: A Near Miss in the Sky
As the month progresses, the attention of skywatchers will shift to another exciting event: a near miss between the waxing crescent moon and Mars. On June 29, the moon will pass close to Mars in a fascinating celestial pairing, with the two objects appearing side by side in the western sky just after sunset. Although most locations, including North America, will miss out on a full occultation (where the moon completely covers Mars), the proximity of the two will create a visually appealing sight. As the moon orbits Earth, it will move eastward, appearing to glide just below the Red Planet. For those in the U.S. and Canada, the closest approach will occur around civil twilight, making Mars visible with binoculars before the sky fully darkens. For some locations, Mars will be positioned about 20 arc minutes away from the upper limb of the moon. This spectacle will be particularly stunning in areas where the moon is visible just after sunset, casting a faint glow over the sky, enhancing the contrast between Mars’ warm orange hue and the moon’s pale light.
What to Expect After June: Mars Continues Its Journey
After these captivating events in late June, Mars will continue its slow journey across the sky. As the planet moves farther away from Earth, it will gradually fade and lose its brilliance, eventually becoming a second-magnitude object by the fall. Over the following months, Mars will pass north of Spica on September 13 and near Mercury on October 19. As the planet travels lower in the sky, it will become more difficult to observe, eventually fading into the twilight by early November. During this time, Mars will be on the opposite side of the sun from Earth, at a distance of approximately 225 million miles. For now, though, these events in June are a unique opportunity for stargazers to enjoy a close encounter with the Red Planet before it slips farther away.
