Tue Jun 03 05:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article for WTOP:
**Summary:**
Greg Redfern’s “What’s Up in the Sky?” column for June 2025 highlights celestial events visible in the D.C. area. Key observations include Venus as a bright “Morning Star,” the Milky Way’s rising visibility, and several lunar conjunctions with planets and stars. The Arietid meteor shower peaks during the day, and the Summer Triangle of stars (Vega, Altair, Deneb) is prominent. Several specific dates feature close pairings of the Moon with Regulus, Spica, Antares, Mars, Saturn, and Venus. The article also mentions the Summer Solstice. It provides details on planet visibility and resources for further exploration, including local astronomy events, NASA calendars, and star charts. Readers are invited to submit questions and suggestions.
**News Article:**
**June 2025 Skywatching Guide: Venus Shines, Milky Way Rises, and Lunar Conjunctions Abound**
**By Greg Redfern, WTOP**
Get ready for a celestial spectacle this June! WTOP’s “What’s Up in the Sky?” column, penned by space expert Greg Redfern, provides a guide to the month’s most exciting astronomical events visible in the Washington, D.C. area.
Venus will continue to blaze as a brilliant “Morning Star” in the East before dawn, albeit dimming slightly as it moves away from the Earth. Meanwhile, stargazers can look forward to seeing the Milky Way rise each night in the southeast, becoming increasingly visible as the month progresses.
**Key Dates to Watch:**
* **June 1:** Catch a close conjunction of the star Regulus and the Moon in the West at dusk, with Mars nearby.
* **June 6:** Look for a striking conjunction of the star Spica and the bright Moon.
* **June 7:** The daytime peak of the Arietid meteor shower. Try listening to them via radar.
* **June 8:** Jupiter and Mercury pair up in the west-northwest as it gets dark. You will need a clear horizon to see them and binoculars will be a big help in spotting them.
* **June 10:** The red supergiant star Antares and the almost-full moon rise in the southeast after dark.
* **June 11:** The full Strawberry Moon rises at sunset in the southeast.
* **June 17:** Mars and Spica form a very close pair in the West, offering a beautiful color contrast.
* **June 19:** Saturn and the waning gibbous moon form a conjunction with the planet Neptune. You would need a telescope to see Neptune.
* **June 20:** Summer solstice occurs at 10:42 p.m. EDT. Happy Summer!
* **June 22-23:** The waning crescent moon will pass near Venus and the Pleiades in the east-southeast sky before dawn. Look for earthshine on the moon.
* **June 26:** The waxing crescent moon in the west at dusk is above Mercury. This is a good time to see Mercury.
* **June 29:** The waxing crescent moon is in the west at dusk, very close to Mars.
**Stars and Planets:**
In addition to Venus, Mars will be visible in the western sky at dusk, and Saturn will rise around midnight in the east. Jupiter fades into the twilight glow, while Uranus and Neptune require telescopes for viewing.
**Explore the Summer Triangle:**
June also brings the prominence of the Summer Triangle, formed by the bright stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb. Vega, the fifth brightest star in the night sky, is easily spotted in the northeast.
**Local Astronomy:**
For those in the D.C. area, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum has a wealth of astronomy exhibits. Numerous astronomy clubs outside the immediate D.C. area also offer events and resources.
**Resources:**
* NASA’s 2025 Science Calendar: [Link]
* The Planetary Society’s Space Events 2025 Calendar: [Link]
* Custom Star Chart Generator: [Link]
**Have Questions?**
Email Greg Redfern at skyguyinva@gmail.com with your space-related questions and suggestions. Follow him on Facebook, Bluesky, and his daily blog for the latest astronomy and space exploration news.
First Piper 