June offers skywatchers worldwide rare views of the Milky Way's illuminated heart; Here is how to spot it with naked eyes
June 2025 presents a unique chance for skywatchers to see the Milky Way's bright central bulge, best viewed throughout the month. This celestial display offers a hazy band in the sky from sunset to dawn, ideal for long-exposure photography.
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Global Visibility: Who Can See the Milky Way Core?
Northern Hemisphere:
You can see the Milky Way's core low on the southern horizon, especially after midnight in mid to late June.
You can see the Milky Way's core low on the southern horizon, especially after midnight in mid to late June. Southern Hemisphere:
Best Time to View
Around midnight to early morning (between 11 PM and 4 AM).
Around the new moon (June 25, 2025), when skies are darker.
Tips for Best Viewing
Get away from city lights (light pollution blocks it).
Look toward the south and southeast sky.
Use a star map or app to track the galactic center.
June 2025 offers a remarkable opportunity for skywatchers to observe the Milky Way's luminous central bulge, visible throughout the month. This celestial event, highlighted by NASA 's June Skywatching Tips, is best experienced from dark, remote locations away from city lights. The Milky Way's core becomes visible from sunset to dawn, appearing as a faint, hazy band stretching across the sky.This central region, rich in stars, gas, and dust, creates a distinct cloud-like structure observable to the naked eye. Long-exposure photography can reveal intricate details, showcasing the galaxy's star clusters and dark dust clouds.Earth's position relative to the Milky Way during June allows for a direct view toward the galaxy's dense center. This alignment provides an exceptional chance to witness the Milky Way's core, a phenomenon visible all month.June's night sky also features notable planetary alignments. Venus shines brightly before sunrise, while Saturn rises higher each day. On June 16 and 17, Mars will appear close to Regulus, the brightest star in the Leo constellation, separated by only about half a degree, the width of the full moon. This rare conjunction is ideal for observation with binoculars or small telescopes.The June solstice occurs on June 20 (June 21 UTC), marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This event results from Earth's axial tilt, positioning the North Pole closest to the Sun . Ancient cultures have historically aligned monuments with the solstice, underscoring its significance.For optimal viewing of the Milky Way's core and other celestial events, observers should seek locations with minimal light pollution and clear skies. The new moon on June 25 will provide darker skies, enhancing visibility of faint celestial objects.June 2025 presents an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the cosmos. It offers a series of celestial events that promise to captivate both amateur and seasoned astronomers.During June, the Milky Way's core is visible from most places around the world, but how well you see it depends on your location, the time of night, and light pollution.This is the best place to see it. The core rises higher in the sky, making it brighter and more detailed to the naked eye or through long-exposure photography.
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