This is not intended to be comprehensive. It is a quick guide to help you find a few things in the night sky without any equipment, just your eyes. All of these are bright and relatively easy to find when walking around the village.
The Planets This Month
Venus
Venus is now the brightest object in the evening sky after the Moon and is impossible to miss on clear evenings.
It appears low in the west after sunset and remains visible for several hours into twilight.
Throughout June, Venus gradually climbs a little higher above the western horizon and becomes even more noticeable as darkness falls.
On 17 June, a thin crescent Moon appears close to Venus in the evening sky, creating a particularly attractive pairing.
Saturn
Saturn is becoming a much better morning object this month.
At the beginning of June it rises shortly after midnight, but by the end of the month it is already visible before midnight and climbs higher into the south eastern sky before dawn.
Saturn appears with a steady pale yellow light and does not twinkle strongly.
On 10 June, the Moon appears close to Saturn before sunrise.
Mars
Mars remains visible low in the western sky after sunset, though it is now becoming faint and difficult to observe.
Its reddish colour still helps distinguish it from nearby stars.
By the end of June, Mars is sinking deeper into the evening twilight.
Mercury and Jupiter
Neither Mercury nor Jupiter are well placed for observation this month.
Jupiter disappears into the Sun’s glare during June, while Mercury remains very low and difficult to observe.
The Moon
Full Moon 31 May / 1 June and 30th
June begins immediately after the Full Moon at the end of May, often referred to as the Strawberry Moon.
Although the name suggests colour, the Moon does not usually appear red or pink. The name comes from the strawberry harvesting season in North America.
On 17 June, a thin crescent Moon appears close to Venus in the evening twilight.
On 10 June, the Moon appears close to Saturn before dawn.
Around 14 June, the Moon reaches New Moon phase, bringing the darkest skies of the month and the best opportunity for observing faint stars.
International Space Station
There are very few convenient International Space Station passes this month.
When visible, the ISS appears as a bright, steady point of light moving smoothly across the sky over several minutes. It does not flash like an aircraft.
Seasonal Highlight
Summer Solstice
On 21 June we reach the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year.
Around this time, darkness never becomes fully complete in the far north of Britain, and even in Oxfordshire the night remains relatively bright.
Astronomical darkness is very short this month, meaning there are only a few hours of truly dark sky.
What Else to Look For
The Summer Triangle
The bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair are now becoming prominent later in the evening. Together they form the large pattern known as the Summer Triangle.
Vega is particularly bright and easy to locate high in the eastern sky.
The Plough Turning Westward
The Plough is still easy to find, although it is now beginning to move toward the western side of the sky during the evening.
Use the two stars at the end of the bowl to continue finding the Pole Star.
Noctilucent Clouds
June is one of the best months to watch for noctilucent clouds.
These strange glowing clouds sometimes appear low in the northern sky after sunset or before sunrise. They shine with a pale blue or silver colour and are thought to form extremely high in the atmosphere.
A Simple Challenge
Late in the evening, try finding the Summer Triangle and tracing the three bright stars that form it.
Alternatively, around midnight, look low toward the northern horizon for possible noctilucent clouds glowing in the twilight sky.