Come June, and all we imagine are cloudy skies. But it’s not yet time to wrap up our stargazing journey for the season. June offers amazing full moons, planetary alignments and meteor showers! Whether you are an early riser or a sunset-chaser, there’s something for everyone here. As we also witness the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, it is also a time to celebrate light and the following stars.
This blog will help you plan the perfect stargazing itinerary for the month, so read along!
Astronomical events in June 2025
June 11: Strawberry Moon
credits: CNN
While the moon does not actually turn pink during this time, it may appear in shades of gold while rising in India. The full moon of June is named so by Native American tribes, especially the Algonquin, for the brief but sweet strawberry-picking season there. The moon will rise at around 7:30 PM (depending on your location) in the Ophiuchus constellation, the Scorpious constellation’s lesser-known neighbour.
Make sure to notice the close passage of the moon from Antares, for something interesting will follow the next day!
June 12: Lunar Occultation of Antares
credits: Space.com
On this day, a rare lunar occultation is going to occur. Antares, the red supergiant of the Scorpius constellation, will be occulted by the Moon. Occultations like this are fascinating to watch because they occur without warning in the sky, except for those who know to look!
Keep your binoculars ready and check the local timing for occultation to track as Antares disappears behind the moon and reappears from the other side again after some time.
June 21: Summer Solstice
On 21st June, the Sun will rise from the northernmost point in the sky, bringing the longest day and shortest night of the year. It is a landmark for the change of seasons and welcomes back constellations like Sagittarius and the Galactic Centre in the night sky.
With more than 13 hours of daylight in India, it is an excellent opportunity to observe and study the Sun and attend solar-themed astronomy sessions.
June 25: New Moon
The new moon always brings the best time of the month to explore the night sky. With the moon entirely absent from the night sky, it is the perfect time to observe faint stars, galaxies, and nebulae that are otherwise not visible in the moonlight. June is also the perfect time to observe the Milky Way rising after midnight, especially the dense region near Scorpius and Sagittarius, home to many rich nebulae and star clusters.
Planetary alignments to look out for in June 2025
A celestial conjunction occurs when two astronomical objects (such as asteroids, moons, planets, and stars) appear close together in the sky, as observed from Earth.
credits: The Planetary Society
These events help skywatchers find tricky planets like Mercury, and they’re great for comparing how different planets look in terms of brightness and colour. They’re perfect for stargazing dates and astrophotography. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned space nerd, conjunctions are a fun reminder that our solar system is always on the move!
Follow along to grab on to the conjunctions occurring in June 2025!
June 8: Mercury and Jupiter Conjunction
From June 5 to 10, Mercury and Jupiter appear close together in the evening twilight, reaching their closest approach on June 8. While the visibility of Mercury is limited, a clear, flat horizon and binoculars will help you spot a bright Jupiter and a fainter Mercury nearby.
June 19: Moon and Saturn’s Close Encounter
Moon and Saturn will rise around 1:30 AM and be visible near each other in the early dawn sky. A view from the telescope will reveal Saturn’s beautiful rings and a few of its moons, near our very own moon with its craters. Both objects will be in the constellation of Pieces.
June 26: Mercury Near the Crescent Moon
As the moon revolves around, it will come near Mercury on June 26th. Paired with the faint light of the crescent Moon, Mercury will be easier to locate, shining below the thin crescent moon on the western horizon, just after sunset.
You’ll need binoculars and a clear, unobstructed view of the horizon, as both will be low and set quickly after twilight fades.
June 29: Moon and Mars Conjunction
Just after sunset on June 29, look west to see the waxing crescent Moon close to Mars, glowing with a soft reddish hue. This close conjunction creates a beautiful composition for sky photography, especially during twilight when the sky has a mix of colours, enhanced by the monsoon-ready skies. Though visible through the naked eye, binoculars will definitely enhance the view.
Want to know more about planetary alignments in 2025? Read this.
Meteor Showers
credit: NASA Science
June 7: Peaking of Arietids
Arietid is the strongest daytime meteor shower with a high theoretical rate of 50–70 meteors per hour. This year, it’s scheduled to peak around June 7. However, since its radiant rises just before sunrise, it is challenging to observe it visually. Still, if you’re an early bird, there’s a small window between 4:30 and 5:15 AM where you might catch a few bright meteors streaking across the eastern sky. The shower is caused by debris from an unknown parent body, possibly an extinct comet or asteroid.
June 28-29: Peaking of Beta Taurids
Beta Taurids is also a daytime meteor shower connected to the exact origin as its more famous counterparts, the Taurids meteor shower in October. Though not visible through the naked eye because of the Sun, it’s a gentle reminder that not all celestial events are visible, but many are still essential parts of the cosmic clockwork.
Worried about missing these meteor showers? Worry not! This meteor shower calendar for the next year will give you plenty of opportunities to witness beautiful meteor showers.
Tips to remember for the best experience
Location & Time
Choosing the correct location and timing is the most critical aspect of a good stargazing experience. Before stepping out in the clear skies, it is important to check the timing of astronomical events, specific to your location. This will allow you the best event experience and avoid disappointments at the last moment.
Equipment Choice
Check if the specific event you are about to witness is best suited to watch with a naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. Researching this beforehand will better equip you for and even enhance the experience.
June: A Celestial Showcase
From the bright Strawberry moon nights to the majestic Milky Way view during the new moon, from twilight planetary conjunctions to daylight meteor showers, June 2025 is filled with stargazing surprises. All you need for some magical experiences is a clear sky, and something magical will be waiting for you out there every night.
So mark your calendars, grab your binoculars, and don’t forget to look up. The universe has plans this June — and you’ve got a front-row seat!
Wishing you clear skies and an incredible stargazing experience!
Loved this blog? Also consider reading:
- Best Time to See the Milky Way Galaxy in India, 2025
- The Roman Space Telescope – A Gateway To The Cosmos
