June 2026 Skywatching: Venus-Jupiter Conjunction, Summer Solstice, and Strawberry Moon
4 verified5 unconfirmed
Skywatchers in June will see several notable astronomical events, including a close pairing of Venus and Jupiter after sunset. The two brightest planets will appear together near the northwestern horizon on June 9 in what is known as a planetary conjunction. By mid-month, Mercury will also become visible, creating a trio of planets low in the western sky after sundown. The summer solstice arrives on June 21, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the official start of astronomical summer. Later in the month, a full Strawberry Moon is expected, with the name drawing from traditions of several Native American nations. Additional events reported by some sources include a lunar occultation of Venus and an international asteroid awareness day. The June sky also offers deep-sky targets such as the Summer Triangle and various nebulae for telescope users.
What’s verified
Venus and Jupiter will appear close together after sunset on June 9 in a planetary conjunction.
Mercury joins Venus and Jupiter in the evening sky during mid-June.
The summer solstice occurs on June 21, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of astronomical summer.
A full Strawberry Moon occurs in June, named by several Native American nations.
Not yet confirmed
One report specifies that the Strawberry Moon will be full on June 29, while another mentions the full moon but does not give an exact date.
According to a single report, a lunar occultation of Venus (the Moon passing in front of Venus) is expected on June 17, with visibility from parts of the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela.
One report notes that June 30 is Asteroid Day, commemorating the 1908 Tunguska event and designated by the United Nations for public awareness of asteroid impact risks.
A single report mentions the Summer Triangle and deep-sky objects such as the Dumbbell Nebula, Ring Nebula, North America Nebula, and Veil Nebula as viewing targets.
One report includes a safety warning against pointing binoculars or telescopes near the sun during daytime observations of the lunar occultation.
Key figures
Raquel Villanueva, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Brian May, astrophysicist and musician
Marcy Curran, EarthSky editor
John Jardine Goss, past president of the Astronomical League
Deborah Byrd, EarthSky founder
Kelly Kizer Whitt, EarthSky nature and travel vlogger
Sources: NASA, popsci.com, earthsky.org
