June is the month for early risers. Almost all of the sky's celestial action takes place in the morning sky. Since Mercury popped above the east-northeastern horizon last week, four of the five visible planets now shine before the sun rises. Only Saturn is visible in the evening sky this month.

As the end of another lunar cycle approaches next week, stargazers will also find the waning crescent moon in the eastern morning sky this week.

The most impressive gathering in the morning sky this month takes place on Friday morning, one hour before sunrise above the eastern horizon. That's when early risers will find a thin waning crescent moon sitting about 5 degrees to the left of our dancing "morning stars," Mars and Venus. The duo sits only 2 degrees apart, and the addition of the thin crescent makes the close encounter worth setting your alarm a little early.

If you're not an early riser, look for Saturn 30 degrees above the south-southwestern horizon around 10:30 p.m.