Starwatch: Saturn draws close to the Moon in the southern sky

Starwatch chart 28 May 2018

From midweek onwards, look out for the Moon and Saturn drawing ever closer in the low southern night sky. By the end of the week, they will be separated by 1.6°, or just over three lunar diameters. The Moon will be a few days past full and clearly in its waning gibbous phase. The chart shows the view for 03:00 BST on 1 June. This week is also good for seeing the four brightest objects in the sky. The Sun and Moon are the first two and are unmistakable – but remember never look at the Sun with your naked eyes or through any kind of optical instrument; it is so bright that it can cause permanent blindness. The third and fourth brightest should present little problem either so long as you have a clear horizon. Just after sunset look west to see the brilliant “evening star” of Venus, this is the third brightest object in the sky. Then turn to the south-west to look out for Jupiter, the fourth.