THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM

70 Falmouth Street      Portland, Maine 04103

(207) 780-4249      usm.maine.edu/planet

43.6667° N    70.2667° W  Altitude:  10 feet below sea level Founded January 1970

2021-2022: CXXXIII

"Think off center."

-George Carlin

THE DAILY ASTRONOMER Tuesday, June 7, 2022

June 2022 Night Sky Calendar Part II

TUESDAY, JUNE 7: FIRST QUARTER MOON

The first quarter moon will rise at 12:24 p.m. and set at 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8th. The moon will then proceed with the waxing gibbous phase.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10: MOON NEAR SPICA

One will see the waxing gibbous moon (59% illuminated) close to Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.    This "close encounter" between Spica and the moon affords us the opportunity to revisit one of the night sky's famous mnemonics.    "Arc to Arcturus; Speed to Spica."

Arcturus, the brightest star in Bootes, the Sheepherder, is just off the Big Dipper's handle. Draw the arc from this handle down to Arcturus. Continue it down to Spica, the star that represents an ear of corn held by Virgo, daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest.

The Big Dipper begins the night close to the zenith. Bootes is located high in the northeastern sky while Virgo begins the evening close to the meridian, the boundary marking due south.

MONDAY, JUNE 13: MOON NEAR ANTARES

Yes, we have no mnemonics, at least any that would help us find Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius the Scorpion. Fortunately, Antares appears so reddish and bright that an observer would need little guidance to find it. Tonight, one will find the nearly full moon (98% illuminated) close to it. See both the moon and star rise by 8:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14: FULL MOON SUPER MOON!! (SILVER EVENT!!)

Yes, we love hype in all its variegated forms. We love the tintinabulating bells, shrieking whistles, the razzle and dazzle of carnival lights, the bristle and bustle of Mardi Gras and, of course, the pomp, circumstance and jolly jocularity of platinum jubilees. After all, who truly wants a life bereft of flavour? Hence, the SUPER MOON written in all capital letters and bold print. A Super Moon is merely a full moon that occurs around the time of perigee, the point of least distance between the moon and Earth. Such a super moon can appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than a micro-moon, defined as a full moon that happens at the time of apogee, the point of greatest distance between Earth and the moon.

The moon reaches perigee on the 14th, about 13 hours after the moon reaches opposition (becomes a full moon.)

Although one would be hard pressed to truly notice a difference between any full moons, because one can only experience one full moon at a time, do note that this month's full moon is a SUPER MOON! We should also note that Super moons cause KING TIDES, or tides that are higher than usual. And, to add a bit more fun, SUPER MOONS that occur around the time of perihelion, the point of least distance between Earth and the Sun (which occurs around January 3) produce POSEIDON'S TIDES. Named for the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon's tides are even higher than King Tides.

Darn it, we love hype!

THURSDAY, JUNE 16: MERCURY AT GREATEST WESTERN ELONGATION

One will find Mercury in the eastern pre-dawn sky. This morning, Mercury strays as far from the Sun as possible during this apparition. (23 degrees from the Sun.) While Mercury is never truly easy to observe, it is slightly easier to see now owing to this elongation. Mercury will rise by 4:00 a.m. this morning.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18: MOON NEAR SATURN See the waning gibbous moon (77% illuminated) close to Saturn tonight! Both the moon and planet will rise just before midnight and will remain visible for the rest of the night.

MONDAY, JUNE 20: LAST QUARTER MOON

The last quarter moon will rise at 12:45 a.m.

TOMORROW: The third and last part of the June 2022 Night Sky Calendar

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