32 inch Cassegrain Project, Astronomical Events, General Astronomy, Solar System

Planets of the Month: Summer 2019

by Erich Karkoschka

Planets for Summer 2019 (June – September)

planet-of-the-month-mercury Mercury is visible all June until July 3 in the evening to the WNW just after sunset. In mid-June, it is the most obvious object in the western sky. August 3 -24 it is visible during dawn in the east.
planet-of-the-month-venus Venus is a difficult dawn object until July 18. It will reappear September 18 low at dusk.
planet-of-the-month-moon The Moon is New on June 3, July 2, July 31, August 30, and September 28. First Quarter Moon is June 10, July 9, August 7, September 5. Full Moon is June 17, July 16, August 15, and September 13. There is a partial Lunar Eclipse on July 16, visible in South America and further east.
planet-of-the-month-mars Mars is above Mercury in early June. On June 18, Mercury passes close to Mars. Then, Mars slowly gets lower during dusk until it disappears in the glow of the Sun at the end of June for the rest of the summer.
planet-of-the-month-jupiter Jupiter comes in opposition to the Sun on June 10 and is a great evening object all summer. It is moving toward Antares.
 planet-of-the-month-saturn  Saturn is just 30 degrees east of Jupiter. It is in opposition July 9 and will be a great evening object most of the summer as well. The brightest parts of the Milky Way are between Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky.
 planet-of-the-month-neptune  The distant, faint planets come in opposition September 8 (Neptune) and October 28 (Uranus).
 There are two eclipses in July. A Total Solar Eclipse July 2, visible in South America, and a Partial Lunar Eclipse on July 16, visible in South America and further east.