June guide to the bright planets

June guide to the bright planets
Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in ASTRONOMY ESSENTIALS | June 1, 2019

Jupiter – at opposition – is bright in the sky from dusk to dawn. Saturn is out from mid-evening until dawn. Bright Venus appears fleetingly in the dawn. Around mid-month, Mercury and Mars have the year’s closest conjunction of 2 planets.

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Watch the bright moon swing close to Jupiter on June 14, 15 and 18.

Jupiter – the second-brightest planet after Venus – reigns supreme in the June 2019 nighttime sky. Venus is pretty much lost in the glare of sunrise throughout June, while Jupiter shines at its brightest best for the year, beaming away from dusk until dawn. There’s no mistaking Venus for Jupiter in June 2019!

Jupiter’s yearly opposition comes on June 10, 2019, marking the middle of the best time of year to see this brilliant planet. On this day, our planet Earth swings between Jupiter and the sun (or most nearly between as we will for this year). Opposition for the outer planets is a yearly event, and Jupiter’s opposition is a much-awaited happening each year. On or around the day of opposition, look for Jupiter to rise at sunset, soar highest up for the night at midnight, and to set at sunrise. Beautiful!
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Jupiter is very easy to see with the naked eye, especially during this period. Take a gander. You'll be glad you did!