Don’t sleep early this week as the full moon will shine with a steadily bright, yellowish Saturn to light up your dark and cloudy night sky, followed by other celestial proportions.
Saturn (photo from Wikipedia)
According to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory video, Saturn will be at opposition on June 27, Wednesday, when the sun is located opposite Saturn, with earth in the middle and on its closest placement with Saturn this year.
On the same date, the night sky will brighten as Saturn will glow with the full moon which will rise not too far from the gas giant. Although the view of Saturn at its biggest and brightest this year could happen throughout the night, it could make you wait for a while.
Based on the NASA’s video, the best time for viewing would be at midnight, aided by backyard telescopes and binoculars for a clearer view of the planet’s rings.
Following the full moon and Saturn tandem would be the “Strawberry Moon,” or summer’s first full moon on Wednesday which will rise around 12:53 a.m. ET on Wednesday, or 12:53 p.m. in the Philippines which could make viewing almost impossible in the country.
While “Strawberry Moon” sounds interesting, it doesn’t signify a crimson-colored moon, it only indicates the start of the strawberry-picking season.
Although a full moon may only be visible for a day, the visibility of Saturn in the night sky will remain for several more months.
According to startdate.org, the public education and outreach arm of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory, Mars will shine like a “bright orange star” on the lower left of the moon on the 29th.
On the 30th, the gibbous moon will shine with bright orange Mars and will climb with the moon for a lovely view at midnight. (Alecsandra Go)