NASA posts June skywatching tips

NASA posted its June 2026 skywatching guide on June 1, outlining a month of evening-planet viewing, a June 17 passage of the Moon in front of Venus from some locations, and the June solstice. The agency’s “What’s Up” update said Venus and Jupiter will appear close together after sunset around June 9, with Mercury joining the western sky from June 11 through June 15. NASA also pointed readers to deep-sky targets that become more prominent in June and to its broader skywatching resources on the agency’s science website. (science.nasa.gov 1) (science.nasa.gov 2) ### When should people look for Venus and Jupiter? Early June is the main window for the month’s most prominent planetary pairing. NASA said skywatchers should look west shortly after sunset to see Venus and Jupiter, which are among the brightest objects in the night sky. Around June 9, the two planets will appear close together in what NASA described as a planetary conjunction. NASA said the planets only appear near each other from Earth’s perspective. The guide explains that planets orbit the sun along nearly the same path in the sky — the ecliptic — which is why they can seem to gather in the same region. (science.nasa.gov) ### What changes after June 9? From June 11 through June 15, Mercury joins Venus and Jupiter low in the western sky, according to NASA’s June guide. The agency said the three-planet grouping will form a small “mini parade of planets” after sunset. (science.nasa.gov) Mercury will be harder to spot than the other two planets. NASA said Venus will be the brightest and easiest object to find, Jupiter will sit nearby, and Mercury will appear lower toward the horizon, meaning viewers will need a clear western view and enough darkness after twilight. (science.nasa.gov) ### What happens with the Moon and Venus on June 17? June 17 is the date NASA singled out for the Moon’s pass in front of Venus. The agency said that, from some locations, the Moon will pass in front of the planet, an event known as an occultation. (science.nasa.gov) NASA’s summary page for June says “the Moon passes in front of Venus,” while the full article notes that visibility depends on location. That means the event is not global, and local observing conditions will determine whether it is visible. (science.nasa.gov) ### What else is in NASA’s June guide besides the planets? June also marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s June skywatching page says summer begins this month and pairs that seasonal marker with suggestions for viewing “deep-sky treasures” rising into view. (science.nasa.gov) NASA’s broader skywatching hub describes the monthly “What’s Up” feature as the agency’s longest-running web video series. The page says the series is produced at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is part of a larger set of resources that includes observing tips, a daily moon guide and other tools for amateur skywatchers. (science.nasa.gov) ### Where can readers find the full dates and object lists? NASA published the June 2026 guide on its science website under the “What’s Up” skywatching series. The agency’s skywatching page links directly to the June installment and to related tools for tracking the Moon and other night-sky objects. (science.nasa.gov) June 17 is the last specifically dated event visible in the excerpts surfaced from NASA’s June post, while the June solstice and the mid-month Mercury-Venus-Jupiter grouping remain part of the month’s viewing calendar on NASA’s site. (science.nasa.gov) (science.nasa.gov) (science.nasa.gov)