Latest news with #celestialEvents
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
How and when to see June's Strawberry Moon, Summer Triangle and other celestial events
Skygazers are in for a treat this June as a number of potentially dazzling celestial events grace our include the Strawberry Moon the Summer Triangle, the longest day of the year, with other sights to behold along the north of Scotland has already been treated to displays of stunning aurora this month with the potential for more to come, thanks to a number of geomagnetic storms taking place on the ever the chances of seeing these sights is dependent on the capricious nature of the UK's weather which is definitely expected to be more changeable throughout June than it was in the spring. Summer Triangle It all begins with the Summer Triangle, external, a bright three-cornered pattern of stars, called Vega, Deneb, and Altair. The trio gets higher in the sky during the summer months and becomes more and more prominent. They form what is known as an asterism or noticeable pattern of stars, created from three different constellations - Cygnus the Swan, Vega in the constellation Lyra the Harp, and Altair in the constellation Aquila the are best seen rising in the east after sunset, forming a huge triangle overhead. The Strawberry Moon June's full Moon comes next, rising in the east on 11 June. Known as the Strawberry Moon, it was named by Native American and European cultures to signal the time of year that wild strawberries were harvested, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, external. Historically it was a way to keep track of time and monitor the changing the northern hemisphere, it will be the lowest full Moon until 2043 staying unusually close to the horizon. Its position may mean it takes on an apt reddish tinge because of the way the thicker, lower layer of atmosphere diffracts the light. The Summer Solstice Ten days later on 21 June, it is the summer solstice, the day of the year in the northern hemisphere with most much you get will vary depending on where you are in the UK and the higher your latitude the more you will this point, the northern hemisphere is most tilted towards the Sun. In the southern hemisphere, however, the Earth will be tilted away from the Sun and experiencing a winter solstice or shortest period of daylight of the year. The summer solstice marks the start of astronomical summer - a time some people associate with the beginning of the season, although meteorologists mark it from the beginning of word solstice comes from the fact the Sun appears to stand still - from the Latin words sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still).The date of the solstice shifts between 20 to 22 June because the calendar year doesn't match with the time it takes Earth to orbit the actually takes the Earth 365 full days and one quarter to orbit the Sun, which is why we have a leap year every four years to bring our calendar and Earth's movements back into alignment. Peak of Bootid meteor shower The June Bootid meteor shower will be active from 22 June until 2 July, peaking on the 27 June. Normally the shower is weak, but occasional outbursts can produce a hundred or more meteors in an hour. There will be a chance of seeing the showers whenever the radiant point in the constellation Boötes is above the horizon. The best time is likely to be before dawn or soon after dusk but check the weather where you are before venturing out - either by downloading the BBC Weather app or via the BBC Weather if you would like to share your pictures with us - and aren't already a BBC Weather Watcher - you can create an account and enjoy snapping away.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Here's what to watch for in the early summer night skies
The first month of meteorological summer brings a trio of noteworthy astronomical events, including Venus reaching its greatest elongation, a plump Strawberry Moon and the arrival of the seasonal solstice. The month begins with the second planet from the Sun lighting up the night sky on June 1. Venus will reach its greatest western elongation from the Sun, making it highly visible on the horizon during the dawn hours. The rocky planet is usually too close to the giant to be seen clearly, but during times of elongation - the greatest angular distance between a planet and the Sun - Venus can be seen without the aid of a telescope. According to NASA, Venus is often known as the "Morning Star" and the "Evening Star" because of its striking brightness during periods of elongation. Don't Miss These Celestial Events In 2025 Just ten days later, attention will shift to the arrival of the Full Strawberry Moon on June 11. Peaking at 3:44 a.m. EDT, the full Moon's name comes from the strawberry harvest season in North America, which typically peaks in June. It is one of just two full Moons with nicknames tied directly to farming practices. While the first full Moon of meteorological summer may appear large and bright, it is not considered a supermoon - that designation is reserved for the Oct. 6 Full Harvest Moon, the Nov. 5 Full Beaver Moon and the Dec. 4 Full Cold Moon. What Is A Micromoon? Later in the month, the first day of astronomical summer will arrive on June 20 at 10:42 p.m. EDT. On the summer solstice, Earth's North Pole reaches its maximum tilt toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year across the Northern Hemisphere. While the Sun's rays are most direct during the solstice, peak temperatures usually lag by several weeks due to the time it takes for land and water to heat. Following the solstice, daylight will begin to gradually decrease until the winter solstice in December. There are also several meteor showers occurring during the month, including the Bootids and the Arietids, but most of the activity is not visible from article source: Here's what to watch for in the early summer night skies
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Get a great view of the Milky Way in Arizona on Memorial Day weekend. Here's the best time
Get ready to look up — the Milky Way will be visible in Arizona's night sky over Memorial Day weekend. This awe-inspiring sight is a massive spiral of stars, dust and gas stretching over 100,000 light-years across. With dark skies and clear nights in many parts of Arizona, the state is one of the best places in the U.S. to see the glittery Milky Way. Just head outside after midnight and look up. If you want to know more about other celestial events in 2025, here's a complete astronomical calendar of all the full moons, meteor showers and eclipses, plus a list of all the comets that will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere this year. You can see the Milky Way in Arizona throughout the year, but it will be especially visible from through May 30, including over Memorial Day weekend, when darker skies coincide with the new moon on May 26. After May 30, 2025, the next optimal window to view the Milky Way in Arizona will be around the new moon on June 25. During this period, the moon's minimal illumination ensures darker skies, enhancing the visibility of the Milky Way's core. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way appears to rise in the southeast, move across the southern sky and set in the southwest, according to Remote state and national parks and Southwest deserts are some of the best places to see the Milky Way, thanks to their dark skies and generally minimal cloud cover. The best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere is between March and September, with May through October offering the clearest view of the galaxy's bright core. For peak visibility, head out between midnight and 5 a.m. Several planets will be visible in May 2025, according to Earth Sky. Venus will shine brightly in the eastern sky just before sunrise, with Saturn appearing above it in the early morning hours. Mars and Jupiter will be visible in the evening sky after sunset, though Jupiter will set earlier as the month progresses. The Milky Way is technically visible every night, but whether you can see it depends on several factors. Bright moonlight, clouds and light and atmospheric pollution can obscure the galaxy's glow. The best views occur under moonless skies far from city lights. The darkest city in Arizona is Flagstaff. In fact, it was the world's first International Dark Sky City, designated by DarkSky International. Flagstaff has strict lighting ordinances, minimal light pollution and nearby astronomy centers such as like Lowell Observatory and the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, making it one of the best places in the U.S. to see the Milky Way and other celestial wonders. Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Follow @tiffsario on Instagram. Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Milky Way will shine on Memorial Day weekend. When to see it
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is May's full moon? What to know about the Flower Moon
It's quite fitting that May's full moon is called the Flower Moon because as the old saying goes: April showers bring May flowers. This month's moon, which is also a micromoon, will rise in the night sky in mid-May amid a few other celestial events. Here's what to know about May's full moon. The full Flower Moon will make its appearance on Monday, May 12 and will reach peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. EDT, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Many people are familiar with the term 'supermoon,' but a micromoon is the opposite. It occurs when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth, but it won't look any smaller, according to Time and Date. May's full moon is called the Flower Moon as it's a reflection of flowers blooming across large swaths of North America, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The Flower Moon is also known as the Budding Moon, Frog Moon, and the Moon of Shedding Ponies. What to know: When to see 2025's full moons, total lunar eclipse and supermoons According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, moonrise for the Rochester area will happen by roughly 8:54 p.m. Monday, May 12 and will set at 5:23 a.m. Tuesday, May 13. Moonrise for the White Plains area will happen by roughly 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 12 and will set at 5:13 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, the Old Farmer's Almanac says. The next full moon is the Strawberry Moon, which occurs on June 11. Moonrise in the Rochester area is roughly 9:50 p.m. and around 9:24 p.m. in the Westchester area. When is Rochester's last frost?: What climate data tells us A few additional celestial events are taking place this month. Here's when you should take a look at the night sky to try and catch a glimpse: New Yorkers, specifically, will have a good chance of seeing the first quarter moon's close approach with Mars around May 3-4. Look for the half moon just after sunset to see a reddish planet nearby, Time and Date says. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak May 5-6, according to NASA, which can bring fast meteors and up to 50 per hour during the peak. The moon, Venus and Saturn are aligning around May 23. See what it will look like from New York here: Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Flower Moon: Date, timing and what to know about the micromoon
