JUNE is one of the warmer months of the year, and it’s the time when the sun reaches its highest in the sky this month on June 21. A good many people get up early to watch the sun rise on the summer solstice, and one of the most popular sites in Cornwall to do this is The Hurlers at Minions.

What is generally overlooked, however, is the corresponding sunset over Brown Willy. In between these two events, pop down to Trevethy Quoit in time for midday. You’ll notice a large hole cut in the capstone first noted by Borlase in the 19th century; its purpose was a mystery until I deduced that perhaps it was something to do with the midsummer sun. Sure enough, I went along one midsummer and saw the sun's light coming straight through the hole at midday, local solar time!

The phases of the moon are as follows: Last Quarter, June 8; New Moon, June 15; First quarter, June 21; Full Moon, June 30. This month’s full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon, from the Native American tradition of harvesting wild strawberries at this time.

Did you catch the “blue moon” on May 31? A Blue Moon is the second full moon in one calendar month.

Planets-wise, Mercury is in Gemini and passes Jupiter before the end of the month. Venus starts in Gemini and moves into Cancer. Mars is in Aries, while Saturn is in Pisces before moving into Taurus. Look out for Jupiter and Venus on and around June 9 - they make a splendid sight as they are very close together. Mercury is to the lower right.

Brian Sheen runs the Roseland Observatory which is based in Truro High School for Girls.