New moon of June 2024 tonight lets Saturn, Mars and Jupiter shine

An illustration of the new moon of June 2024 lost in the glare of the sun on June 6, 2024. (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night)

The new moon of June 2024 occurs tonight, providing a great opportunity to enjoy a sky free from the moon’s glare. New moons occur approximately every 28.5 days as the moon passes between the sun and Earth on its orbit journey. This celestial event marks a conjunction where the sun and moon share the same celestial longitude.

The timing of the new moon varies across different locations, with it occurring on June 6 at 8:38 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time in New York, 7:38 a.m. CDT in Chicago, and 5:38 a.m. PDT in Los Angeles. In Europe and other eastern regions, the new phase occurs later in the day.

As skywatchers prepare for the new moon, they can look forward to observing Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter in the night sky. Saturn rises first at 1:32 a.m. in New York, followed by Mars at 3:01 a.m., and Jupiter at 4:38 a.m. local time. Mercury and Venus will be hidden by the sun’s glare and will be visible in the evening sky in July.

In the Southern Hemisphere, where June marks the winter solstice, the longer nights provide a different perspective on the celestial bodies. Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter will appear higher in the sky compared to Northern Hemisphere locations.

Overall, the new moon of June 2024 presents a unique opportunity for stargazers to enjoy the beauty of the night sky and observe the visible planets. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming celestial events and don’t hesitate to share your own observations with us.