1) Summer solstice
The Summer Solstice will occur on the 21st of June, signifying the start of summer in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of winter in the southern solstice. The sun will be directly overhead of the tropic of cancer and in the constellation of cancer. The summer solstice will also be the longest day of 2018 in the northern hemisphere. The opposite also stays true with the shortest day of 2018 in the southern hemisphere.

1) 3D2N Mersing, Johor
Renowned local astrophotographer Remus leads monthly trips to Mersing for a 3D2N experience with dark skies and a chance to learn to take gorgeous astrophotographs. Join in for a relaxing yet educational getaway!

Fee: ~$210/pax for twin/triple-sharing (single-sharing is available upon request, additional charges apply)
Includes: Transport, accommodation, meals
For more details and registration, visit Remus' Expeditions Page.

2) Cosmocraft 2D2N Tanjong Leman, Malaysia  (2 -4 Aug/ 27 -29 Sept)
Looking for a weekend retreat from your busy schedule? Come join Cosmocraft's weekend Astronomy trip to Tanjong Leman for a short yet fulfilling getaway!

For more details and registration, visit Cosmocraft's official website here.

On the East of the Argo Navis and the South of the Spring Triangle are the constellations of Centaurus, the Centaur, and Crux, the Southern Cross. With their deep sky objects and conveniently placed stars, these constellations have both been a delight to the eyes of many, and a navigational aid since ancient times, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. The South Celestial Pole can be found by the intersection of the line extending from Gacrux through Acrux, and the perpendicular bisector of the line between Rigil Kent and Hadar (illustrated as the turquoise lines above).

From Centaurus, one can find NGC 5662 (Cr 284), an open cluster, by tracing a line from α Cir through Rigil Kent. The open clusters NGC 5281, NGC 4609 and the Pearl Cluster (C 97), as well as the η Car nebula and its neighbouring deep sky objects can be found by drawing a line from Rigil Ken through Acrux and beyond. The open clusters NGC 5882 and NGC 5617 can also be found by looking from Rigil Kent towards ζ Lupus and Hadar respectively. Thereafter, one can find ω Cen, the brightest and largest globular cluster in the Milky Way, by extending a line from Hadar beyond ε Cen. Furthermore, by drawing a line from Hadar through Acrux, one can again find the open cluster NGC 4609 and the Running Chicken Nebula at λ Cen. The open clusters NGC 5316 and NGC 5281 (again) can be found by drawing a line between Hadar and α Mus. Moreover, one can find NGC 5460 (Cr 280), another open cluster, by tracing a line from ζ Lupi to ζ Cen. By extending the line past ζ Cen, one can also find the relatively bright galaxy Centaurus A with its distinctive dust lane.

From Crux, one can find the Jewel Box Cluster (C 94), a distinctive bright open cluster by tracing a line from Gacrux through Mimosa. Finally, one can find the Pearl Cluster (C 97) as well as the Southern Pleiades (C 102), both bright open clusters, by tracing a line from Gacrux through δ Cru. By tracing a line in the opposite direction, one can again find ω Cen.

Find out more about this month's night sky with the following handy resource:
www.SkyMaps.com