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What's in the Sky June 2025
Image credit: ESO/Y. Beletsky
Welcome to Bintel's monthly guide to the night sky for all Australian and New Zealand observers. Each edition answers the big questions stargazers often ask: what can I see in the sky tonight? What planets are visible now? What star am I looking at? What constellations are out tonight?
This isn’t just a list of objects—it’s a curated guide to help you get the most out of your time under the stars. From bright planets to deep sky highlights you may not have seen before, we cover it all.
Let’s take a look at what’s in the sky tonight.
What Planets can I see:
If you've ever looked up and wondered, what planets can I see tonight? or what's that bright light in the sky?, you're not alone. Whether you're brand new to stargazing or have a telescope ready to go, there's always something worth spotting above. This month, a few planets are putting in an appearance—some just after sunset, others in the early morning hours. From the fading glow of Mars to the brilliant light of Venus, and even a glimpse of distant Neptune, we'll show you what planets are visible now and how to find them. So, if you're asking what can I see in the sky tonight, read on—we’ve got your guide to the best planetary sights this June.
The sky above Sydney this month in the early morning, when most of this month's planets will be visible.
MARS
If you’ve been meaning to spot Mars in the night sky, now’s the time—but don’t wait too long. The Red Planet is slowly slipping lower each evening and will soon vanish from view. But with the right timing and a clear view, you can still catch it before it goes.
Just after sunset, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., look toward the northwest sky. You’ll want an open horizon—someplace without tall buildings, trees, or city lights in the way. A beach, a hilltop, or even a quiet park can make all the difference.
Now, fair warning: Mars isn’t exactly putting on a show at the moment. It's small, dim, and not showing much detail. But that’s part of the fun—especially if you're new to stargazing. There’s something really satisfying about being able to say, “I found Mars!” even if it’s just a small red dot.
SATURN
If you're looking to catch a bit of a sneak preview of one of the most stunning sights in the sky, get ready to stay up late, or set an alarm, as Saturn is rising in the early morning. Right now, Saturn rises in the east around 4 a.m., and by the time the sky starts to brighten just before sunrise, it’s high enough to get a good look at it.
This month is a particularly good time to try, because Saturn’s rings are becoming more visible again. For the past little while, we’ve been seeing the rings edge-on, which makes them harder to pick out. But now they’re starting to tilt toward us, which means even a small telescope can show you that classic ring shape. It’s one of those “wow” moments when you see it for yourself, especially if it’s your first time using a scope.
Photo by Andy Casley from our Bintel Society Facebook group.
If you don’t have a telescope, that’s okay—you can still spot Saturn with the naked eye. It looks like a bright, steady point of light (not twinkling like stars do) in the eastern sky before sunrise. Using a stargazing app on your phone (such as stellarium) can help you make sure you're looking at the right thing.
Try to find a spot with a clear view east—somewhere without too many trees or buildings in the way. Even a front yard, balcony, or nearby park can work. If you're up anyway or don’t mind waking up a bit early, it's a solid chance to see the most recognisable planet in the sky. Nothing fancy required—just a little time and a clear morning.
VENUS
On June 2nd, Venus will reach dichotomy, meaning it will be half-illuminated—similar to how we see a quarter Moon. This is one of the best times to observe its phase through a telescope, and even binoculars might reveal a hint of its crescent shape. It’s a cool moment for anyone who enjoys seeing the planets in a new light.
But why does Venus show phases at all? Just like the Moon, Venus goes through phases because it orbits the Sun inside Earth’s orbit. As it moves around the Sun, we see different portions of its daylight side. This was actually one of the key observations Galileo used in the 1600s to confirm that planets orbit the Sun—not Earth.
To spot it, look to the east just before sunrise. Venus will be hard to miss—it’s easily the brightest object in the sky after the Moon, outshining everything around it. This dazzling brightness is thanks to its thick, reflective cloud cover, which bounces a lot of sunlight back into space.
If you’re unsure whether you’re really looking at Venus, here’s a tip: it will appear as a brilliant “star” low in the east, and it won’t twinkle as much as actual stars. Around this time of year, it’s known as the “Morning Star.”
If you’ve never looked at Venus through a telescope, it might surprise you. Instead of just a bright dot, you’ll see a glowing semi-circular shape, floating in the dawn light. While you won’t see surface details (its thick clouds hide everything), the clean outline of a planetary phase is striking.
NEPTUNE
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, why not try finding Neptune? It’s definitely not the easiest planet to spot, but that makes it all the more rewarding when you do.
Right now, Neptune rises just before dawn and is close to Saturn in the eastern sky. The best time to look is between 4 a.m. and sunrise.
You won’t see Neptune with your naked eye, and even through a telescope, it just looks like a tiny bluish dot. But here’s the cool part: you’re actually seeing a planet that’s almost 4.5 billion kilometers away — the most distant of the main planets in our solar system.
So if you manage to spot it, give yourself a little mental high-five. It’s a pretty neat accomplishment and a reminder of just how vast our solar system really is.
Bintel Recommends for planetary Viewing:
For Beginners: At Bintel, we recommend the Celestron StarSense Explorer series as the ideal starting point for anyone wanting to view Saturn this season. These user-friendly telescopes eliminate the frustration of finding objects in the night sky by using your smartphone to guide you directly to Saturn.
For the best views: To get the best views of the planets this month, pair your telescope with a quality high power eyepiece like one of the Saxon Cielo HD 1.25" ED Eyepieces. These eyepieces represent a significant upgrade over those included with most telescopes, offering higher magnification to reveal Saturn's rings and Mars' surface details, better eye relief for comfortable extended viewing sessions, and a wider field of view that makes it easier to keep planets centred—transforming your experience from "I think I see something" to "Wow, I can actually see the rings!"
The Moon:
June’s lunar phases offer plenty of chances to explore our nearest celestial neighbor. The First Quarter Moon on June 3rd is ideal for spotting mountains and craters along the terminator. We usually recommend observing around the First or Third Quarter phases (June 3rd and 19th this month), when sunlight casts long shadows across the surface. This contrast helps reveal the rugged textures of craters, ridges, and mountain ranges in sharp detail. Full Moon arrives on June 11th—great for casual viewing, but it tends to wash out surface features. By the New Moon on June 25th, skies will be at their darkest—perfect for deep sky observing, with faint galaxies and star clusters standing out at their best.
While the planets tend to steal the spotlight, sometimes the most rewarding sights are right under our noses—or in this case, hovering just overhead. On the evening of June 3rd, the Moon offers up one of its most dramatic features: the Lunar Alps.
These mountains stretch across the Moon’s northern region, lining the edge of the Mare Imbrium, a vast, ancient lava plain. What makes them stand out this month is timing. From around 6 to 8 p.m., sunlight hits the range at just the right angle to create bold shadows that highlight every ridge, slope, and valley. You don’t need fancy gear either—binoculars or a small telescope are more than enough to bring these features to life.
The Lunar Alps circled in yellow. Credit: Stellarium
If conditions are good and you zoom in a bit, you might even spot the Alpine Valley, a narrow, striking trench slicing through the range. It’s a favorite among lunar observers because of how sharply defined it can appear when the light is just right.
The best part? The Moon is big, bright, and easy to find—no apps or dark-sky locations required. Just step outside, point your scope, and enjoy some of the most accessible (and stunning) terrain in the solar system.
Bintel Recommends: for Lunar observing
To make the most of the spectacular Lunar Alps display on June 3rd:
The Bintel Beginner Telescope Upgrade Kit. This essential kit enhances your lunar viewing experience with:
- A Moon Filter to reduce the moon’s bright glare and reveal fine details in the Lunar Alps
- A comprehensive Moon Map to help identify the Alpine Valley and other features
Special Offer: Get the Bintel Beginner Telescope Upgrade Kit at a special 30% discount when purchased with any Celestron StarSense Explorer telescope.
What Deep Sky Objects Can I see:
If deep sky observing is your thing, June offers some fantastic targets. We’ve picked out three remarkable galaxies to explore, each with its own unique charm. But that’s not all — we’re also shining a spotlight on one of the southern sky’s top five showpieces, which happens to be well placed this month.
With these stunning galaxies and this standout object on the list, there’s plenty to keep your telescope busy. Let’s dive into what you can expect to see.
OMEGA CENTAURI (NGC 5139)
Image credit: ESO/INAF-VST/OmegaCAM. Acknowledgement: A. Grado, L. Limatola/INAF-Capodimonte Observatory
First up is a true crowd-pleaser: Omega Centauri, the brightest and largest globular cluster visible, and easily one of the top 5 deep sky objects in the southern sky.
If you haven’t observed a globular cluster before, this is the perfect introduction. Under good conditions, Omega Centauri is even visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch in the sky—sometimes even from suburban locations. What you’re actually looking at is an incredibly dense collection of stars—possibly 10 million in total—packed into a compact sphere about 15,800 light-years away.
When you bring it into view through your telescope, that fuzzy patch transforms dramatically. Stars begin to resolve as tiny points of light, creating a sparkling orb that fills the field of view. This isn’t just impressive through large, high-end telescopes—small to mid-sized scopes reveal plenty of stunning detail too.
| Visual | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Omega Centauri earns top marks for visual observing. It's easy to locate, extremely bright, and utterly striking—even through modest equipment. Larger scopes only add to the experience, revealing just how packed with stars this cluster really is. It fills the eyepiece with glittering depth and texture.
Omega Centarui in the field of view of a SeeStar S50 (small rectangle) and Dwarf 3 (large rectangle). Image credit: Stellarium.
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Smart scopes handle Omega Centauri beautifully. It’s large and bright enough to show excellent detail even with short exposures, making it a great target for live stacking or quick sessions. The core stands out easily, and you’ll begin to see the starry halo emerge after just a few frames.
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
This cluster is a dream for imagers. You don’t need hours of integration time to get a stunning result—Omega Centauri’s structure is bold and clear even with modest gear and short exposures. Its brightness and density make it an ideal subject for wide-field or close-up compositions alike.
When and Where to See It
Omega Centauri becomes visible in the early evening, starting around 6:00 p.m., and hits its observing sweet spot between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.. You’ll find it in the constellation Centaurus, low in the southern sky. A dark site helps, but even from less-than-perfect locations, it’s still easily bright enough to impress.
CENTARUS A (NGC 5128)
Image credit: ESO
Centaurus A doesn’t look like most galaxies, and that’s exactly what makes it so fun to observe. From a dark sky site, you’ll see a bright, oval-shaped glow crossed by a striking wavey dark band—that shadowy slice is what earned it the nickname the Hamburger Galaxy. It’s not just a strange shape, though. That dark lane is made of interstellar dust, left over from a smaller spiral galaxy that Centaurus A likely tore apart and absorbed long ago.
This galaxy sits around 12 million light-years from Earth and belongs to a class known as “active galaxies.” At its core is a supermassive black hole, millions of times more massive than the Sun, pulling in matter and firing out intense radio waves and X-rays. You won’t see those jets with your backyard telescope, but it’s still incredible to know you’re looking at a galaxy that’s anything but quiet.
| Visual | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Centaurus A is the brightest major galaxy in the Southern Hemisphere sky apart from the Magellanic Clouds, but it can still be tricky to spot. Under suburban skies, it might appear as a faint smudge. If you're observing from a darker location with at least a medium-sized telescope, you'll start to notice the dark dust lane cutting across its glowing centre—a subtle but rewarding sight once you know what to look for. The more aperture you have, the more structure you'll tease out.
Centarus A in the field of view of a SeeStar S50 (small rectangle) and Dwarf 3 (large rectangle). Image credit: Stellarium.
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
This is where Centaurus A shines. Its size and brightness make it a great fit for most smart telescopes. Even short exposure stacks begin to reveal detail quickly, especially that central dust lane. It doesn’t require hours of imaging to start seeing results, which makes it a satisfying target for quick observing sessions or beginners testing out a smart scope for the first time.
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
For imagers, Centaurus A is a rewarding subject with a dramatic look and strong structure that stands out even in short exposures. You don’t need advanced gear or heavy post-processing to pull out its most distinctive features. It’s an ideal early galaxy target for new astrophotographers, especially those curious about capturing deep-sky objects with real character.
When and Where to Observe
Centaurus A lies in the constellation Centaurus, just a few degrees northwest of Omega Centauri—so if you've already tracked down the famous globular cluster, you’re close. A star chart or planetarium app can help you zero in on the exact spot. This month, observing between 7:30-9:30pm will offer the best views, with the galaxy rising high during this time.
THE SOMBRERO GALAXY (M104)
Image credit: NASA
We now move on to one of the most distinctive galaxies out there—the Sombrero Galaxy.
It gets its name from its unmistakable shape: a bright, rounded core with a thick, dark dust lane slicing cleanly across it, creating the look of a wide-brimmed hat floating in space.
Sitting about 29 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, this edge-on spiral galaxy is a favourite for both visual observers and astrophotographers. It’s small, but its dramatic contrast makes it stand out—especially when you catch it under dark skies.
| Visual | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The Sombrero Galaxy is reasonably bright, but its small size and low contrast make it a bit of a challenge under suburban skies. You’ll likely need a larger telescope—around 8 inches or more—to spot it at all in those conditions, and even then, it may only appear as a faint, compact glow. In darker skies, though, it stands out much more clearly, even with smaller scopes. With a medium or larger aperture in dark skies, that signature dust lane begins to emerge, showing why dark skies remain the most important tool in deep-sky observing
The Sombrero Galaxy in the field of view of a SeeStar S50 (small rectangle) and Dwarf 3 (large rectangle). Image credit: Stellarium.
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Smart scopes do well with this one. Its brightness and contrast make it an easy capture, and that central dust lane pops in stacked exposures. The only downside is its relatively small size, which means it won’t be framed well like other targets. But even so, it delivers a satisfying image in less time than you'd expect, which makes it still well worth shooting.
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
This galaxy really comes to life in images. It doesn’t take much to start pulling out detail, and with longer focal lengths, the sharp line of dust and subtle halo structure become truly impressive. It’s an ideal easy galaxy target for new imagers, and a solid subject for anyone looking to add an impressive galaxy to their deep-sky gallery.
When and Where to Observe
The Sombrero Galaxy rises highest between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., making that the best window for observation. Look for it in Virgo, just off to the west of the bright star Spica. A star chart or app will help you zero in—it’s small, but worth the effort.
THE SOUTHERN PINWHEEL GALAXY (M83)
Image credit: TRAPPIST/E. Jehin/ESO
The Southern Pinwheel galaxy might just be the most “galaxy-looking” galaxy you’ll come across in the night sky. When you picture a classic spiral galaxy—bright central core, graceful arms, glowing star-forming regions—this is the kind of structure that comes to mind. And lucky for southern observers, it’s right here in our backyard.
Also known by it's Messier number M83, the Southern Pinwheel galaxy is one of the brightest face-on spiral galaxies in the sky and a standout target in the constellation Hydra. It sits around 15 million light-years from Earth and displays a beautiful, symmetrical structure that makes it especially rewarding to image—and a satisfying challenge for visual observers.
Because it’s face-on, its surface brightness is more spread out compared to edge-on galaxies, which means it can appear faint in smaller telescopes or under light-polluted skies. But under dark conditions, or with enough imaging time, that spiral structure starts to emerge.
| Visual | ⭐⭐ |
Visually, M83 can be tricky. Its low surface brightness means it struggles in suburban or light-polluted skies, even though it’s a relatively bright galaxy overall. Even with a large scope, in suburban skies it may only show as a soft glow. In dark skies, especially with a medium or large telescope, some of that elegant spiral structure begins to come through—but it’s subtle. This is a target that rewards patience and good conditions.
The Southern Pinwheel galaxy in the field of view of a SeeStar S50 (small rectangle) and Dwarf 3 (large rectangle). Image credit: Stellarium.
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Smart scopes are a great match for the Southern Pinwheel. While it doesn’t jump out immediately like some brighter targets, it doesn’t take long for stacked exposures to start revealing the galaxy’s signature shape. The arms, core, and star-forming regions come into view with enough integration time, and the framing tends to work well enough with most smart telescopes. If you’re willing to give it a little extra time, the results speak for themselves.
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The Southern Pinwheel galaxy is an outstanding galaxy for astrophotographers. It takes longer to bring out the full structure than some other targets, but once you do, it delivers an incredibly detailed image. The spiral arms are rich with texture, and processed photos often reveal delicate colours and glowing star-forming knots. For southern sky imagers, this is one of the best galaxies to shoot—especially if you're building a collection of classic spirals.
When and Where to Observe
The Southern Pinwheel is best observed between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., when it sits high overhead and well clear of atmospheric haze. You’ll find it in Hydra, southeast of Centaurus A and just below the small constellation Corvus. A star chart or planetarium app will help you lock it in—once you’ve got the right area, it’s well-positioned for both visual sessions and imaging runs.
THE JEWEL BOX CLUSTER (NGC 4755)
Image credit: ESO
If you want colour and contrast in your views of the night sky, few objects deliver quite like the Jewel Box Cluster. Tucked just beside the Southern Cross in the constellation Crux, this compact open cluster lives up to its name—packed with bright stars that shimmer like scattered gemstones.
Located about 6,400 light-years away, the Jewel Box is made up of young, hot blue stars mixed with a handful of cooler red giants. The result is a vibrant splash of colour that’s immediately striking through the eyepiece. Even small telescopes (70mm and up) easily resolve the individual stars, and the warm-red vs electric-blue contrast is something beginners can notice on their very first look.
The astronomer John Herschel famously described it as "a casket of variously coloured precious stones", and once you’ve seen it for yourself, it’s easy to understand why that poetic description stuck.
| Visual | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The Jewel Box cluster is bright, easy to find, and one of the best objects for showing off true star colour. Unlike denser clusters where stars blur together, this one is loose enough that modest scopes can clearly resolve the individual stars it. Its position near the Southern Cross makes it a very easy object to find, and thus an incredible target for beginners, no matter what scope or skies.
The Jewel Box cluster in the field of view of a SeeStar S50 (small rectangle) and Dwarf 3 (large rectangle). Image credit: Stellarium.
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
While the Jewel Box cluster shows up beautifully in stacked images, many smart telescope systems have a field of view that’s a bit too wide to frame it tightly. Still, the star colours pop nicely, and it’s a rewarding quick target—especially for showing off what smart scopes can do in a short session. Dwarf 3 users will have the unique opportunity for an interesting composition with both the Jewel Box cluster and the 2nd brightest star in the Southern Cross, Mimosa, in the same frame.
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐ |
The Jewel Box is photogenic, but it’s a small object in a wide sky—and with so many standout targets visible this season for astrophotography, imagers might prefer to spend their sessions elsewhere. That said, if you’re after an open cluster with character and colour, this is a fast, easy target that delivers nice results with minimal effort.
When and Where to Observe
Catch the Jewel Box between 7:00 and 9:00 pm, when it’s high in the southern sky near the bright star Mimosa—the easternmost point of the Southern Cross. It’s one of the easiest deep-sky targets to locate, and a perfect starting point for observers just getting familiar with the southern sky.
ACRUX (Alpha Crucis)
Simulated Stellarium image. Image credit: Stellarium
Acrux is the brilliant star that anchors the base of the iconic Southern Cross. It’s the southernmost first-magnitude star in the sky, and while it appears as a single bright point to the naked eye, a closer look through a telescope reveals something more: Acrux is a binary star system—two hot, blue-white stars orbiting each other around 320 light-years away.
Its brightness, striking colour, and deep cultural significance have made it a key feature of southern skies for centuries. From Polynesian navigation to modern star-hopping, Acrux continues to guide observers in both literal and symbolic ways.
| Visual | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Acrux is an excellent visual target. Even small telescopes can resolve its binary nature, showing two distinct stars close together with a beautiful blue-white hue. It's a great introduction to double stars and one of the most eye-catching binaries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Acrux in the field of view of a SeeStar S50 (small rectangle) and Dwarf 3 (large rectangle). Image credit: Stellarium.
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐ |
While Acrux is bright and easily captured by most smart telescopes, its binary nature can be tricky to appreciate, as the stars are close enough together that they often blur into one in wide-field images, meaning it will be difficult to split the pair with a smart telescope. A bit of adjustment to things like gain or exposure time will give you the best possible chance to tease out the separation—but it’ll be tough, making Acrux a more challenging target for smart scope users.
| Astrophotography | ⭐ |
As a bright binary, Acrux is simple to capture—but it lacks the structural complexity of more advanced deep-sky targets. This makes it a good subject for beginners getting comfortable with adjusting focus and exposure, but less appealing for experienced imagers looking for detail-rich scenes.
When and Where to Observe
Look for Acrux between 7:00 and 9:00 pm, when it’s high in the southern sky. As the brightest star in Crux, it’s easy to spot and a natural stepping stone to other targets nearby—like the Jewel Box Cluster
Honourable Mentions:
The Coalsack Nebula
Image credit: ESO/S. Brunier
| Visual | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐ |
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐ |
The Coalsack Nebula is one of the most recognisable dark nebulae in the southern sky, appearing as a stark void beside the Southern Cross where the dense Milky Way abruptly fades. It’s a massive cloud of interstellar dust blocking the stars behind it, and under dark skies it’s a striking naked-eye sight, especially when scanned with binoculars. However, it fades quickly under light pollution. For smart telescopes it’s simply too large to capture effectively without mosaic mode and very dark conditions. In astrophotography, it can be an evocative wide-field target when shot with DSLRs and lenses around 100mm or less, but it's not ideal for those seeking fine detail or high contrast.
Markarian’s Chain
Image credit : Stellarium
| Visual | ⭐⭐ |
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Markarian’s Chain is an series of galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, featuring Messier objects like M84 and M86, curving across space. From the Southern Hemisphere, it sits low on the northern horizon, which limits its visibility and potential. Visually, it’s a challenge—requiring dark skies and a large telescope to tease out the faint galactic smudges. Smart scopes do better here, especially with longer integrations and a wide field of view—some models like the Dwarf 3 can capture the whole arc in one shot. For astrophotographers, it’s a rewarding multi-galaxy target with setups in the 300–500mm range, but you’ll need to contend with low altitude and increased atmospheric interference. If it climbed higher in our skies, this would be a standout object.
Tweezers Galaxy (NGC 4945)
Image credit: ESO
| Visual | ⭐⭐ |
| Smart Telescopes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Astrophotography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
NGC 4945, the Tweezers Galaxy, is a striking edge-on spiral in Centaurus, not far from Centaurus A. Its elongated shape and prominent dust lanes give it a dramatic, photogenic look that makes it a rewarding target. Visually, it requires a dark sky and a larger telescope to reveal more than just a faint streak. For smart telescopes, it’s an excellent fit—filling a good portion of the frame and showing strong structure with longer exposures. It also performs well in astrophotography, especially with moderate focal lengths and dark skies. That said, it often gets overshadowed by other spectacular galaxies that are visible at the same time, making it an easy one to overlook—despite being one of the southern sky’s more interesting spirals.
Need help finding this month's deep sky objects? Use our handy star map to guide you to all the objects we've mentioned this month.
That wraps up June’s edition of What’s in the Sky! From early morning planets to deep sky gems, there’s no shortage of things to spot this month. Whether you're ticking off familiar favourites or discovering something new, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your time under the stars.
We’d love to hear how your observing sessions go—especially if you’ve managed to capture any photos or come across a target you hadn’t seen before. And as always, let us know what you’d like to see in future editions. More star charts? Extra beginner tips? Hidden gems for advanced users? Your feedback helps us shape this guide into something truly useful for the whole community.
Clear skies, and happy observing!
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