The starry sky in June 2026
The starry sky in June 2026
The month is very unfavorable for nocturnal observation as the nights are short and no longer really dark. The 21st is the summer solstice and the shortest night of the year. Faint objects such as galaxies and nebulae can hardly be observed, but bright planets, star clusters and multiple stars are reasonably visible.
Low above the south-eastern horizon, Antares sparkles in the constellation Scorpio. High up in the sky, you have to put your head back, but you will see the Big car can be found. If you extend its drawbar towards the horizon, you will first encounter the bright star Arcturus in the Boats and later on Spica in the Virgo. A little further to the right is the constellation Lion above the southwestern horizon.
Slightly to the left above the bright star Arcturus in the Boats a small semicircle of stars stands out: The Northern crown with its main star Gemma, the gemstone. Towards the horizon stretches the Serpent bearer together with the two-part Snake. Both constellations are quite faint. In the east, the summer triangle consisting of the three bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair is already visible in the constellations Lyre, Swan and Eagle has risen.
The moon phases in June 2026
The planets in June 2026
Mercury is visible late in the evening in June. However, when Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation on June 15, its best visibility is already over. On June 16, the narrow crescent moon is next to Mercury.
Venus first moves through the constellation of Gemini, then through Cancer, and passes by the planet Jupiter on June 9. On June 17, the crescent moon is directly below Venus and on June 19, Venus encounters the open star cluster Praesepe in the constellation of Cancer.
Mars moves through the northern regions of the zodiac and from June 20 it passes through the constellation Taurus. At the end of June, you can try to track down Mars at dawn.
Jupiter will no longer be visible in the evening sky towards the end of the month. It will reach the constellation of Cancer on the 22nd.
Saturn can be seen in the eastern morning sky. The ringed planet passes through the constellation of Pisces from June 3.
Uranus was in conjunction with the Sun at the end of May and remains unobservable in June.
Neptune in the constellation of Pisces can be seen in the morning sky from the end of June.
In modified form from The starry sky in June 2026 - Vereinigung der Sternfreunde e.V.