Alfonso Observatory

📣 Calling all young Filipino artists to join the Poster-Making Contest ✨

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites students aged 6 to 12 to create artworks with the theme, "Space Garden: Growing Food in Space.”

What would a garden look like aboard a spacecraft, on the Moon, or on a distant planet?

📅 Online submission deadline: 15 July 2026
Submit your entries here: bit.ly/philsapmc

📦 Submit the physical copy of your artwork: 20 July 2026

Top 3 entries will be the official Philippine entries to the APRSAF-32 Poster Contest happening in Thailand this October.

Read the full mechanics here: https://philsa.gov.ph/news/yamangkalawakan-poster-making-contest-2026

Celebrating Philippine Independence Day under the same sky that unites us all.

As we honor the courage, sacrifice, and freedom won by our heroes, we continue to look upward exploring the wonders of the universe while cherishing the liberty that allows us to dream beyond the stars.

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, Pilipinas! ✨🌌🚀🇵🇭
"Ad Astra Per Aspera"

"AstroCamp: Discover the Wonders Above, Inspiring Minds and Serving the Nation Through Astronomy." 🇵🇭🔭✨

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the 9th Philippine Space Council (PSC) meeting on June 2, 2026, outlining plans to strengthen the country’s space capabilities through satellite development and space data utilization.

A key part of these plans is the launch of the Philippines' first liquid-fueled rocket, targeted for early next year from Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan. This milestone launch will test domestic supply chains, safety protocols, and launch authorizations, serving as the first step toward establishing an operational Philippine spaceport. Thanks to its equatorial location and access to the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is strategically positioned to offer safe, efficient, and cost-effective rocket launch and recovery operations for future space activities.

On June 09 at 08:00 p.m., Venus and Jupiter will reach conjunction, sharing the same right ascension and appearing just 1°38’ apart in the sky.

The following day, at 03:48 a.m., the two planets will make an even closer approach, passing within 1°36’ of each other. Both planets will be visible in the constellation Gemini, with Jupiter shining brightly at magnitude -4.0 and Venus at magnitude -1.9.

The exact timing of their conjunction will be observable low above the western horizon.

Disclaimer: Visibility may vary depending on location and weather conditions.
Source: PAGASA Astronomical Diary
Image from earthsky.org

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Tonight’s the night!✨

Head outside about 45–60 minutes after sunset and watch Venus and Jupiter greet each other in the sunset dusk. Read more about what you'll see here: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/venus-jupiter-converge-in-stunning-june-9th-dusk-conjunction/

Let us know in the comments if you caught it, and subscribe to Sky & Telescope for more astronomy news: https://skyandtelescope.org/subscribe

Tonight's the night (Tue. June 9) Venus and Jupiter pass each other in the western evening sky. The 2 brightest planets will be about 1.5° apart. You might also spot fainter Mercury about 14° to their lower right if you look carefully.
https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-june-5-14/

M1 - Crab Nebula

Imaging done in January of 2025 and Post Processing done again in June 2026. I specially like the different colors of the stars around it. Some red, some blue, white stars!

The Crab Nebula (catalogue designations M1, NGC 1952, Ta**us A) is a supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula in the constellation of Ta**us (wikipedia)

Coming Soon: One of history's most complex missions. 🌕

Watch NASA's live broadcast on June 9 at 11:00 PM (Philippine Time) and meet the four astronauts who will orbit Earth aboard the Artemis III mission.

Tune in via the NASA YouTube Channel or NASA page and be among the first to learn more about the crew and their mission.