Sky Report, May/June 2023

Sky Report by Ted Gruber

Evening Sky

Venus (magnitude -4.2) is easily visible in the west at dusk. The bright planet currently sets just after midnight, and just before midnight by mid-June. The moon and Venus appear about 2° apart the evening of May 23. On the evening of June 21, the moon and Venus appear about 3° apart, with Mars appearing about 5° south of the moon.

Mars (magnitude 1.5) becomes visible high in the western sky as darkness falls, currently setting about 1:15am. The red planet dims slightly to magnitude 1.7 by mid-June and sets about midnight. The moon and Mars appear about 4° apart the evening of May 24 and again on the evening of June 22.

Morning Sky

Saturn (magnitude 1.0) currently rises in the east-southeast about 2:45am, and about 30 minutes earlier by mid-June. The ringed planet remains visible until fading into the morning sunlight. The moon and Saturn appear about 3° apart the morning of June 9.

Jupiter (magnitude -2.1) follows Saturn, currently rising about 4:30am. By mid-June, Jupiter rises just before 3:00am and remains visible until fading into the morning sunlight. The moon and Jupiter appear about 1.5° apart the morning of June 14.

Mercury (magnitude 0.6) returns to the morning sky at the end of May, rising about 45 minutes before sunrise. The innermost planet brightens quickly, reaching magnitude -1.1 by June 20. The moon and Mercury appear about 4° apart the morning of June 16.

Moon Phases

New (5/19), first (5/27), full (6/4), last (6/10), new (6/18), first (6/26).