Astrotourism in Nelson County

Tap into your inner astronomer and admire the breathtaking views of the Dark Skies of Nelson County.

Celebrate Your Light

Summer Solstice
June 20 – 22, 2025

A Regenerative Journaling Retreat at Galleywinter Farm, Afton

Here are the top astronomy events in June to mark on your calendar:

Summer is almost underway across the Northern Hemisphere, and with it comes the warmest weather and some of the most challenging stargazing conditions.

June’s short nights are the biggest factor for astronomy lovers, especially since it might not get fully dark until after 10 p.m. local time in some areas. The upside is the warmer summer nights that make for comfortable conditions, and in some regions, the flickering lights of fireflies that emerge during the evening twilight.

Strawberry moon: June 10-11

The upcoming solstice on June 20 will mark the official start to astronomical summer across the Northern Hemisphere, but before the changing of the seasons, there is one more night sky event that is about to unfold.

The full Strawberry Moon will rise Tuesday evening and continue to shine into Wednesday morning, a sight that can be seen around the world.

June’s full moon nickname dates back to the Indigenous Peoples of the northeastern United States, who recognized that the strawberry harvest season typically began around the same time as the month’s full moon, Chris Palma, the professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State University, told AccuWeather.

“But interestingly, this moon, where the sun is very high in the sky, the moon is actually going to be very low in the sky. So there’s a chance it will actually look a little bit reddish or pink, and, and so that may also be part of the origin of the name,” Palma said.

Other nicknames for June’s full moon include the Green Corn Moon, the Blooming Moon and the Hatching Moon.

Summer solstice: 10:42 p.m. EDT, June 20

Summer will officially kick off at 10:42 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 20, the precise moment of the solstice.

The June solstice is when the sun’s rays are most focused on the Northern Hemisphere, marking the start of summer for areas north of the equator. The result is the longest day and the shortest night of the entire year.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the solstice marks the start of astronomical winter.

World Asteroid Day: June 30

The last day of the month is Asteroid Day, a time to emphasize the risks that asteroids pose. Although spotting an asteroid in the night sky can be difficult, even with a telescope, this day serves as an important reminder of these potential dangers.

“Asteroid Day as observed annually on 30 June is the United Nations sanctioned day of public awareness of the risks of asteroid impacts,” the Asteroid Day website explained. “Our mission is to educate the public about the risks and opportunities of asteroids.”

Astronomical League for information and printable handouts useful for everyone from the casual observer to the moradvanced amateur astronomer. They also offer printable handouts fo every month of the year, centered around what’s up in the sky mid-month.