• Version
• Download 21
• File Size 5.45 MB
• File Count 1
• Create Date 1 June 2026
• Last Updated 1 June 2026

BASIL June 2026

The front cover shows an image of the crescent Moon, Jupiter and Venus all in a line in the twilight sky, recently taken by BAS member Andrew Grasemann.

Monthly observing opportunities

• All month: Noctilucent cloud season.
• 9 June: Venus lies 1.6° north of Jupiter.
• 15 June: Mercury is at greatest eastern elongation (evening).
• 17 June: Bright Venus lies 0.7° north of the waxing crescent Moon.
• 29 June: Tonight's low full Moon is a micro-moon.
• Observe the 'Strawberry Moon' and the Vallis Alpes - best observed around the First Quarter ( 7 to 8 days old Moon).
• 18 DSO observing targets are listed for the month.
• Constellation of the month is Corona Borealis.

Members' images this month

• Makarian's Chain by Andrew Grasemann.
• M106, M100 and NGC 4321 by Chris Lee.
• Lunar X and V by Andrew Grasemann.

Observing project for members: imaging Corona Borealis and the Blaze Star

• A star system 3,000 lightyears away known as the 'Blaze Star' is set to be come visible to the naked eye, shining like a 'new star' in the sky.
• T Coronae Borealis, also known as T CrB or the 'Blaze Star', last brightened in 1946, and astronomers initially predicted it would brighten again by September 2024.
• As of mid-2026, T Coronae Borealis, the Blaze Star, hasn't exploded yet, but when it does happen, its apparent brightness will temporarily increase.
• If you start photographing Corona Borealis now, you'll be able to track changes in the constellation over time, and may even capture the moment the Blaze Star brightens.
• See p29 for more information on how to image Corona Borealis.

The BAS programme of meetings for 2026 can be found on p30.