Long before telescopes touched the skies and space apps lit up our phones, ancient Indian astronomers were already stargazing with precision and purpose. Thousands of years ago, Indian astronomers like Aryabhatta and Varāhamihira didn’t just stargaze for fun; they mapped the heavens, tracked eclipses, and calculated planetary movements with remarkable precision. Our fascination with the cosmos isn’t new because it’s woven deep into our cultural and scientific history, so this June, why not channel that ancient curiosity and look up? Because the sky has some magical surprises in store!
June 11: The Strawberry Full Moon
Mark your calendar for June 11, when the Strawberry Moon makes its appearance. Despite the name, the Moon won’t turn pink. The term comes from Native American traditions, indicating the start of the strawberry harvest. Rising full and bright, this moon is perfect for a peaceful evening walk or a dreamy photoshoot. Bonus? It's also called the honeymoon, perhaps that’s where the honeymoon got its name?
June 21: Summer Solstice
June 21 brings us the June Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. At 02:40 UTC, the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Cancer. It’s the official start of summer, and an astronomical moment that ancient observatories like Jantar Mantar were built to track. Celebrate with a sunrise yoga session or some good old-fashioned sunbathing (with SPF, of course).
June 21: The New Moon
The sky goes dark as the Moon aligns with the Sun, vanishing from view at 10:33 UTC. With no moonlight to steal the spotlight, this night offers a perfect window to gaze deep into the cosmos, so you can spot distant galaxies and hidden star clusters.
Stargazing Tip: New Moon = Best Night Sky
While June doesn’t give us a New Moon, the week after the Full Moon is still great for spotting fainter stars and distant galaxies. So grab a telescope or just lie back on a dark patch of earth, away from city lights, and let the cosmos reveal its hidden gems.
Bonus Tip: Planet Watch
Venus, after reaching greatest elongation at the end of May, will still be a stunning morning star in early June. Wake up before sunrise, face east, and you will see one of the brightest objects in the sky, which can seem just ethereal when you look through a Dobsonian telescope.
Explore More with The Pie Matrix
Love exploring the skies? Craving more celestial knowledge or a deeper dive into space and sea wonders? Don’t stop here, explore the cosmos on your own with a Dobsonian telescope from The Pie Matrix.
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Astronomical Events in May 2025