Stargazing Just After the Solstice: What to See During the New Moon on June 25, 2025
The new moon on June 25, 2025, brings with it one of the best nights this summer to get outside and enjoy the night sky. Happening just a few days after the summer solstice on June 21, this new moon lines up with one of the shortest and most magical nights of the year.
Even though the nighttime hours are brief, the skies will be wonderfully dark—perfect for stargazing. With no bright moon to wash things out, even the fainter stars and deep-sky objects come into view. If you’ve been waiting for a great excuse to stretch out under the stars, this is it.
What Makes a New Moon Special?
During a new moon, the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, meaning its illuminated side faces away from us. It’s not visible in the sky at all, which gives stargazers a wonderful opportunity: an extra-dark night sky.
The result? You’ll see more stars, planets, constellations, and even faint glows like the Milky Way than on a typical night. And since we’re right on the heels of the longest day of the year, it’s the perfect time to ease into summer skywatching season.
Planets to Watch on June 25, 2025
Even during twilight, the sky will be busy with planetary activity. Here’s what to look for on this night:
🌠 Mercury – In Leo
Mercury is always a bit tricky to spot, but it’s definitely possible around this time. On June 25, it’s positioned in the constellation Leo and climbing toward its greatest eastern elongation, which it reaches on July 4.
That means it’s getting easier to see—you’ll want to look for it just after sunset, low in the western sky, between about 8:45 and 9:30 PM (your local time). Find a spot with a clear view of the western horizon and keep your eyes just below Regulus, the bright star in Leo.
🌠 Venus – In Gemini, Nearing Cancer
Venus is always a showstopper, and you won’t have to work hard to find it. It’ll be glowing brightly in the west-northwest sky during twilight, slowly making its way from Gemini into Cancer.
Even in bright twilight, Venus will be the first “star” you see. It’s unmistakable, and it’ll be up longer than Mercury, giving you a nice window to enjoy its brilliance. If you’re out early, take a few minutes to enjoy how Venus pairs with nearby stars Castor and Pollux, the twins of Gemini.
🔴 Mars – Out of View
Mars isn’t ideally placed for viewing on this night. It’s traveling along the far side of the Sun from our perspective and remains hidden in the twilight. The red planet will become more prominent later in the summer.
🪐 Saturn – In Pisces
Saturn rises around 12:30 AM in the east-southeast and remains low on the horizon until dawn. If you’re up during the very early morning hours (around 3:00 to 4:30 AM), look for it in the constellation Pisces, glowing with a steady yellow hue.
You may need binoculars or a telescope to catch the planet’s subtle rings at this low angle, but even with the naked eye, Saturn’s presence is unmistakable in the pre-dawn sky.
⚪ Jupiter – Not Visible Yet
Jupiter remains out of view on this night, rising closer to sunrise and staying too low to catch clearly. It’ll return to stargazing sessions later this summer and shine brilliantly in the fall.
Beautiful Summer Constellations
This is a great time of year for recognizing the classic constellations that light up the summer sky. With no moonlight to interfere, even faint stars pop into view.
🦢 Cygnus the Swan
Cygnus is perfectly placed in the summer Milky Way and is easy to spot thanks to its curved “Cross” shape, which is also called the Northern Cross. Deneb, Cygnus’ bright addition to the summer triangle, will help your find the swan.
🐍 Serpens and 🐍 Ophiuchus
Mid-summer is the time when the lesser-known constellations like Serpens and Ophiuchus come into view near the southern horizon. These areas are rich in star clusters and deep sky objects. If you’re using a telescope or binoculars, don’t skip them!
🌌 The Summer Triangle
After midnight, the famous Summer Triangle takes center stage. Formed by three bright stars—Vega (in Lyra), Deneb (in Cygnus), and Altair (in Aquila)—it’s a huge pattern stretching across the eastern and southern skies.
This part of the sky also features the rich, dusty stretch of the Milky Way—a jaw-dropping sight from dark sky areas. Sagittarius, home to the center of our galaxy, begins to rise in the southeast after dark, making this one of the best times to trace the Milky Way from horizon to horizon.
Are There Any Meteors?
While we’re not in the peak of any major meteor showers just yet, a few early meteors from the June Bootids may show up. This smaller shower is active from June 22 to July 2, peaking around June 27.
The Bootids are known for their unpredictability. In some years they produce almost no activity; in others, brief bursts of dozens of meteors per hour. Their radiant point is in the constellation Boötes, which is high in the western sky at sunset—perfect timing.
If you’re out late with your eyes on the sky, don’t be surprised if you catch a stray shooting star or two!
Deep Sky Treats
With the skies so dark and the air so warm, it’s a perfect time to take in some deeper celestial sights. Here are a few highlights for binoculars or small telescopes:
NGC6940 in Vulpecula – A lovely open cluster of stars, it can be viewed with binoculars just south of Cygnus
The Hercules Cluster (M13) – A bright globular cluster in the constellation Hercules, easy to spot in the eastern sky after 10 PM.
The Ring Nebula (M57) in Lyra – A favorite target for telescope users, visible late at night when Lyra rises higher.
Even without gear, just lying back and watching the Milky Way drift across the sky is an experience you won’t forget.
Stargazing Tips for a Perfect Night
To make the most of this short but special night, keep these simple tips in mind:
🔭 Get Away from City Lights
Light pollution washes out all but the brightest stars. Look for a nearby park, lakefront, or countryside where the sky is darker.
🕙 Arrive Early
Twilight lingers well into the evening in late June. Arriving early helps your eyes adjust and gives you time to set up any equipment.
🔴 Use Red Lights
Bright white lights will ruin your night vision. Use a flashlight with a red filter or tape to preserve your view.
📱 Bring a Star App
Apps like SkySafari, Star Walk, or Stellarium help you identify planets, constellations, and deep sky objects with ease.
🧺 Get Comfortable
Bring a blanket or reclining chair, and maybe even some snacks. Stargazing is best when you’re relaxed and cozy.
Why This Night Matters
The new moon on June 25 doesn’t just mark a great night for astronomy—it’s also a peaceful, reflective moment. Just days after the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, this night gives us a rare contrast: a long day followed by one of the darkest and clearest nights of the season.
It’s the perfect reminder that the rhythms of Earth and sky are always in motion. Watching the stars reminds us that even though our nights are short now, they’re rich with possibility.
What’s Coming Up Next?
This night is only the beginning of summer stargazing season. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
July 24, 2025 – The next new moon, just in time for the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, which peaks a few days later.
August 12 – The Perseids, one of the most beloved meteor showers of the year, hit their peak.
October 7 – The mysterious Draconids bring potential bursts of meteors under a moonless sky.
With the year unfolding and the stars above, there’s no better time to start planning a few nights under the open sky.
Whether you’re gazing with a telescope, binoculars, or just your own two eyes, the new moon on June 25 is your invitation to slow down, look up, and enjoy the magic of the night.
The universe is always waiting. All you have to do is step outside.
Please be advised that, despite our best efforts, International Star Registry – Name a star provides astronomical content for entertainment purposes. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information given.