A disappearing Venus, a planet parade, and the start of summer make June a must-see month for skywatchers.
June brings several notable skywatching events, including a close meeting between Venus and Jupiter, a rare occasion when the Moon moves in front of Venus, the arrival of astronomical summer, and the return of favorite deep-sky sights.
Skywatching Highlights
June 9: Venus and Jupiter appear close together in a planetary conjunction
June 11–15: Mercury joins Venus and Jupiter in the evening sky after sunset
June 17: The Moon passes in front of Venus for some observers, while others can enjoy a striking close pairing of the Moon and Venus
June 21: The June solstice marks the beginning of astronomical summer
Throughout June: The Summer Triangle rises higher in the sky, bringing several popular deep sky observing targets into view.
Venus will be the brightest and easiest to spot, with Jupiter nearby. Mercury will sit lower toward the horizon, so you will need a clear view to the west to catch it in the glow of twilight.
On June 17th, from some locations the Moon will pass in front of Venus. This is called a lunar occultation. For viewers in the right viewing path, Venus will look like it disappears behind the Moon, then reappears later. The event will be visible from parts of the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela. Outside of the exact viewing path, many skywatchers may still see a close pairing of the Moon and Venus, but this comes with an important safety note. For many viewers, this will happen during the daytime.
If you’re trying to observe the occultation, do not point binoculars, a telescope, or a camera near the Sun unless you’re using proper solar safety equipment. Looking at or near the sun through optics can cause serious eye injury.
