It’s easy to forget that we’re just a small planet orbiting a star in a back corner of a massive galaxy. Yet that’s just what we are.

Take some time on these moonless nights this weekend to gaze at the Milky Way, our home galaxy, at midnight and after. Away from city lights you should be able to detect a pale glow that runs across the entire sky, from the Southern horizon running due North. See the chart for more specifics.

The Milky Way appears as a pale glow rising from the Southern horizon after midnight.

The Milky Way is sadly drowned out in the city for most of us, but away from the lights and absent the Moon’s glare, it can be one of the most spectacular sights to behold, especially when you realize how truly small we are in the grand scheme.

For more events coming up this week, check out Sky & Telescope’s guide here:

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 12 - 20 - Sky & Telescope
■ Mercury remains under Pollux and Castor in twilight, as shown below, but it has faded to magnitude 1.3. That's less than half as bright as Procyon, mag 0.4, which twinkles about two fists at arm's length to its left. Catch Mercury this evening while you still can; it's fading fast and sinking low.

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Stay well, and clear skies!

Our Home, The Milky Way

This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 12 - 20 - Sky & Telescope