JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Comet C/2015 V2 Johnson has been a northern hemisphere object so far this year. But now that’s changed as it moves south in May and June, reaching perihelion on 13 June. It begins the month in Boötes, 7° northeast of mag. +0.2 Arcturus (Alpha (_) Boötis) and finishes in Virgo, 12° east of mag. +1.0 Spica (Alpha (_) Virginis). It’s well placed in the northern evening sky, transiting (due north) around 20:30 EST mid month when it is expected to be at maximum brightness, around mag. +7.0.