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June

Ottewell's Observations *

This is a new (hopefully) monthly section detailing significant astronomical
events and objects that might be of interest to amateur observers. These events
are taken from the annual Astronomical Calendar produced by Guy Ottewell and
published and distributed by the Universal Workshop at Furman University. This
calendar is an excellent reference source for amateur astronomers and usually
comes highly recommended as a worthwhile investment. Each year many of the
members go in together to order the calendars in quantity and get a discount.
Other members have the calendars on "standing order" and receive notice of them
automatically each year.

June marks the best month for Mars in 13 years. On June 13, it reaches its best opposition since the 1980s. It should peak at about mag 2.4 (1/2 mag brighter than Jupiter). At its closest approach (June 21), it will be almost 21" across (5 times wider than it appeared most of last year). It should be wide enough to allow amateur instruments a decent chance of detecting surface markings. This will likely be amplified by virtue of Mars being near its equinox on June 17, just 4 days after opposition and 4 days before closest approach, thus allowing viewing of both poles at once!

June 21 marks the summer solstice, the point of the longest day (and shortest night). After this date, nights will again begin to lengthen. There will also be a total eclipse of the sun, but it will be visible only in the south Atlantic Ocean, along with parts of Africa and Madagascar.

On June 27, the June Bootid meteor shower peaks. Although normal a fairly "quiet" shower, it has been known to peak at up to 100 meteors/hour. It last had a spurt in 1998 which had been totally unexpected. Showers since have occurred near full moons, so accurate counts have not been available. This year's peak occurs just after the setting of the first quarter moon, so there is a decent chance of getting a high count.

July 4 marks the date that the earth is at aphelion (furthest distance from the sun). Maximum distance this year will be 152,089,000 km (about 94,504,000 miles). July 5 has a partial eclipse of the moon, but unfortunately it will be visible only on the other side of the world. (It only covers the northern half of the moon anyway, so we won't be missing much.)

* - Information for this article was derived from Guy Ottewell's Astronomical Calendar,
published each year by the Universal Workshop of Furman University.