Mercury is too close to the Sun and not visible. Venus is best seen from 9.20 pm to 0.40 am in the constellation of Gemini and the end of the week in Cancer. Mars is too close to the Sun as well and not visible. Jupiter is best seen from 9.35 pm to 1.35 am in the constellation of Cancer. Saturn is best seen from 10.10 pm to 4.10 am in constellation of Libra.
Moon Full on Tuesday 2 June. Sun rise at 4.52 am and Sun set at 9.16 pm.
The International Space Station (ISS) reaches full illumination as the June solstice nears, resulting in multiple nightly passes favoring our northern hemisphere observers.
Wednesday 27 May
At 10.59 pm an Iridium flare appears West North West at an altitude of 12° in the constellation of Gemini. Another flare only 5 minutes later at 11.04 pm West North West at an altitude of 11° in the constellation of Gemini at nearly the same place. And another one at 11.13 pm North West at an altitude of 10° in constellation of Gemini once more.
ISS has a short appearance at 0.23 am of Thursday morning in the East South East at 15° and only 5 minutes after ISS disappears at 0.27 am in the East horizon. A good appearance is at 1.56 am West South West at 22°. Culmination at 1.58 am in the South South East at an altitude of 55°. ISS disappears at 2.03 am in the East horizon. ISS appears once more at dawn at 3.34 am at the West horizon. Culmination at 3.34 am in the South at 66°. ISS disappears at 3.39 am in the East South East horizon. At twilights a very bright Iridium appears East at an altitude of 29° in the constellation of Andromeda.
The moons Ganymede and Io both cast shadows on Jupiter from 3.01 am to 5.18 am, unfortunately not that good to see due to the twilight. You will need a small telescope to see.
Thursday 28 May
Look at the Moon at 7.20 pm. The Golden Handle is visible on the Moon from 5.30 pm to 3 am. The altitude is 33° in the South at 9.20 pm. The Sun rises on the Jura mountains, while Sinus Iridum is still in shadow. Use a binocular or small telescope to see the details.
A bright Iridium flare low on the horizon in the North West at an altitude of only 8° in the constellation of Gemini. Another flare appears at 11.26 pm in the North West at an altitude of only 7° in the constellation of Auriga. And another about 10 minutes later at 11.36 pm at nearly the same spot in the North West at an altitude of only 5° in the constellation of Auriga. But do not miss the brighter flare at 11.37 pm in the West South West at an altitude of 42° in the constellation of Leo.
The International Space Station (ISS) appears at 1.03 am in the South South West at an altitude of 35°. Culmination at 1.04 am in the South South East at 42°. ISS disappears at 1.09 am in the Eastern horizon. Another ISS pass at 2.36 am, appearing in the West. ISS is close to Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation Bootes with only a separation of 0.255°. Culmination of ISS at 2.40 am in the South at an altitude of 70°. ISS disappears at 2.46 am at the Eastern horizon. Try the last ISS pass just before Sun rise at 4.11 am, appearing in the West horizon, and culmination at 4.16 am in the South South West at 42° and disappears at 4.22 am in the East South East horizon.
Friday 29 May
Today in 1919, a solar eclipse permitted observation of the bending of starlight passing through the sun's gravitational field, as predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. Separate expeditions of the Royal Astronomical Society travelled to Brazil and off the west coast of Africa. Both made measurements of the position of stars visible close to the sun during a solar eclipse. These observations showed that, indeed, the light of stars was bent as it passed through the gravitational field of the sun. This was a key prediction of Albert Einstein's theory that gravity affected energy as in addition to the familiar effect on matter. The verification of predictions of Einstein's theory, proved during the solar eclipse was a dramatic landmark scientific event.
An Iridium flare appears at 9.31 pm in the North North West at an altitude of 23° in the constellation of Perseus. Look for Venus at 11.14 pm, close to one of the stars of the constellation of Gemini. Only 4° separated. And a little later the 86% lit Moon is close to a star in the constellation of Virgo. Limb separation is 5.79° or 11.52 lunar diameters.
ISS appears at 0.10 am on the Saturday morning in the South South East at an altitude of 30°. Culmination immediately at 0.10 am in the South South East at an altitude of 31°. ISS disappears at 0.16 am in the Eastern horizon. An Iridium flare appears at 1.06 am in the South South West at an altitude of 55° in the constellation of Serpens Caput. Another pass of the International Space Station. ISS appears at 1.43 am in the West South West. ISS passes the bright star Arcturus with only a separation of 1.143°. Culmination at 1.47 am in the South at 66°. ISS disappears at 1.52 am in the Eastern horizon. At 2.43 am an Iridium flare appears South East at an altitude of 53° in the constellation of Vulpecula. At dawn ISS once more appears at 3.18 am in the West. Culmination at 3.23 in the South South West at 54°. ISS disappears at 3.28 am in the East South East horizon.
Saturday 30 May
Today in 1959, the first experimental hovercraft, the SR.N1 made its first trip at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. It was designed by Sir Christopher Cockerell and built by Saunders-Roe.
Not visible, but for the record, at nearly 6 pm Mercury in inferior conjunction, 2.1° separated from center of the Sun. Distance to the Earth on Sunday morning is 0.549 AU at 4 am and is the closest approach.
ISS is now visible in the “evening” sky and appears at 11.12 pm in the South West horizon. Culmination at 11.17 pm in the South South East at 21° and disappears at 11.22 in the East horizon. ISS once more appears after midnight at 0.48 am in the West South West horizon. Culmination at 0.53 am in the South South East at 57° and disappears at 0.58 am in the East horizon.
At 1.01 am an Iridium flare appears South South West at an altitude of 55° in the constellation of Serpens Caput. At 1.30 am Transit of Great Red Spot on Jupiter low at the horizon, but look with a small telescope or binocular before. ISS appears once more at 2.24 am at the Western horizon. Culmination at 2.29 am in the South at 64° and disappears at 2.34 am in the East South East horizon. Just before Sun rise another ISS pass. Appears at 4.00 am in the West horizon. Culmination at 4.05 am South South West at 28°. ISS disappears at 4.10 am in the South East horizon.
Sunday 31 May
At 9.22 pm Transit of Great Red Spot on Jupiter. Use a small telescope or binocular. As well at dusk, ISS appears at 10.19 pm in the South South West horizon. Culmination at 10.23 pm in the South East at only 14°. ISS disappears at 10.28 pm in the East horizon. Another ISS pass at 11.54 pm West South West horizon. Culmination 11.59 pm South South East at 45° altitude. ISS disappears after midnight at 0.04 am in the East horizon.
After midnight another ISS pass. ISS appears at 1.30 am in the West horizon. Culmination at 1.35 am in the South at 69°. ISS disappears at 1.41 am at the Eastern horizon. And at down another ISS pass. Appearing at 3.06 am in the West. Culmination at 3.12 am in the South South West at 39°. Disappearance at 3.17 am in the East South East horizon. Look for the Moon which is close to Zuben Elakrab, a star in Libra and a Limb separation of 4.17° or 8.19 lunar diameters.
Monday 01 June
Today in 2002, the first national law prohibiting "light pollution" went into effect. The Czech Republic became the first nation to outlaw excess outdoor light. All outdoor light fixtures in the country must be shielded to ensure light goes only in the direction intended, and not above the horizontal. Czech astronomers had lobbied for the legislation. Light from street and road signs bounces off molecules in the atmosphere, making skies less dark. This light pollution is a particular problem for astronomers since even low levels of man-made light from distant cities can obscure their view of faint objects far away in space. Better designed, non-polluting light fixtures should give everyone better more energy efficiency and reduce glare on roads and in residential areas.
After 10 pm, the Moon is close to Saturn. Limb separation only 1.20° or 2.33 lunar diameters. ISS pass at 11.00 pm in the South West horizon, passing the bright star Arcturus with a separation of only 0.513° at 11.04 pm. Culmination at 11.06 pm in the South South East at 33°. ISS disappears at 11.11 pm at the Eastern horizon.
At 11.22 pm a bright Iridium appears in the West at an altitude of 37° in the constellation of Leo. ISS appears once more after midnight at 0.36 am in the Western horizon. Culmination at 0.42 am in the South at 67°. ISS disappears at 0.47 am in the Eastern horizon. And ISS appears once more at 2.13 am in the Western horizon. Culmination at 2.18 am in the South South West at 52° altitude. ISS disappears at 2.23 am in the East South East horizon. A nice Iridium flare appears at 2.28 am in the South East at an altitude of 54° in the constellation of Vulpecula. A real challenge when ISS appears at twilight at 3.49 am in the West. Culmination at 3.54 am in the South West at 18°. ISS disappears at 3.59 am in the South South East, less than an hour before Sun rise.
Tuesday 02 June
Today in 1686, the publication of Newton's Principia was arranged in London at the Royal Society. The minutes of the meeting record that the astronomer Edmond Halley would “undertake the business of looking after it and printing it at his own charge.”
Full Moon at 17.19 pm. This is the 2nd southernmost Full Moon of the year. Former more southern Full Moon was at 13 June 2014. Next more southern Full Moon is at 2 July 2015.
ISS appears at 10.07 pm in the South West horizon. Culmination at 10.12 pm South South East at 23°. ISS disappears 10.17 pm in the Eastern horizon. Just before midnight there is another ISS pass. Appearing at 11.43 pm West South West horizon. Culmination 11.48 pm South at 59° and passing the bright star Arcturus with separation of 1.341°. ISS disappears at 11.53 pm in the Eastern horizon.
After midnight at 1.19 am ISS appears once more in the West. Culmination at 1.24 am in the South at 63°. ISS disappears at 1.30 am in the East South East horizon. And once more appears at 2.55 am in the West. Culmination at 3.00 am in the South South West at 26°. ISS disappears at 3.05 am at the South East horizon.
Wednesday 03 June
Today in 1965, the first American astronaut to make a spacewalk was Major Edward White II, when he spent 20 minutes outside the Gemini 4 capsule during Earth orbit at an altitude of 120 miles.
ISS appears at 10.49 pm in the West South West horizon. Culmination at 10.54 pm in the South South East at 47° altitude. ISS disappears at 10.59 pm in the East horizon. ISS appears again at 0.25 am in the West. Culmination at 0.30 am in the South at 69° and disappears 0.36 am in the East. And once more appears at 2.01 am in the West. Culmination at 2.07 am South South West at 37° and disappears at 2.12 am in the South East horizon.
A bright Iridium flare is at 2.22 am in the South South East at an altitude of 56° in the constellation of Sagitta. And a last ISS appearance at 3.38 am in the West. Culmination at 3.42 am in the South West at only 11°. ISS disappears at 3.47 am in the South South East horizon.