Stargazing Calendar for June 2026
June brings a rich mix of astronomy events, from striking planetary conjunctions to meteor showers and deep-sky sights. Here’s what to watch for during stargazing this June 2026.
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List of Meteor Showers in June 2026
- Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
- τ-Herculids: Start on May 25; peak on May 31; end on June 4.
- Daytime Arietids: Start on May 14; peak on June 7; end on June 24.
- June Bootids: Start on June 22; peak on June 27; end on July 2.
We also have a complete list of meteor showers for the entire year of 2026 here.
List of Planetary Conjunctions in June 2026
- Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in Gemini on June 9.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces on June 10.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Aries on June 12.
- Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on June 13.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Gemini on June 16.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Gemini on June 17.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Cancer on June 17.
- Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster in Cancer on June 18.
- Close approach of Venus and Beehive Cluster in Cancer on June 20.
Moon Phases in June 2026
As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of June 2026:
June 7: Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak
The Daytime Arietids are a medium-sized meteor shower with an average of 50 meteors per hour (ZHR) during the peak if conditions are ideal.
Some meteors may also be spotted between May 14 and Jun 24, enriching your stargazing this early June 2026. They will radiate from the constellation of Aries at the speed of 38 km/s on average. The Moon will be a 22 days old waning crescent at 48%.
June 9: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter
Venus and Jupiter will reach conjunction passing within 1°38′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 1°36′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
Venus will be at apparent magnitude -4.0 and Jupiter at magnitude -1.9 both in the constellation of Gemini. The Moon will be 24 days old waning crescent at 32%.
June 10: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 6°11′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.
Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 5°32′, but no longer sharing the same right ascension.
The Moon will be an 25 days old waning crescent at 22%. Despite this, the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.3 and Saturn at magnitude 0.6, both in the constellation of Pisces.
June 12: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 5°38′ of each other.
Look for the two bodies in the constellation of Aries. The Moon will be at apparent magnitude of -10.0, while Mars will be at magnitude 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak on June 7.) The Moon will be an 27 days old waning crescent at 4%.
June 13: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 58.6 arcminutes of each other. This will happen in the constellation of Taurus.
You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -9.2 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon will be 28 days old, meaning it will be a waning crescent at 1% and won’t interfere much with stargazing this middle of June 2026.
June 15: Asteroid 14 Irene at opposition
Asteroid 14 Irene will be at opposition when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky. It will reach the highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where you are in the world.
Look in the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak on June 7.) Irene will pass within 1.432 AU of Earth, reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 9.3. You will need binoculars or even a telescope to observe it. Irene is a large S-type asteroid of around 152 km in diameter.
June 15: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation
Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky, making it the best time to view the planet. Look for it low in the western sky just before sunrise. It will be at apparent magnitude 0.4 in the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak on June 7.) The Moon will be a one day old waxing crescent at 2%.
June 16: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 2°35′ of each other.
You can find both celestial bodies in the constellation of Gemini, with the Moon at apparent magnitude -9.4 and Mercury at apparent magnitude 0.5. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak on June 7.) The Moon will be a 2 days old waxing crescent at 6%.
Jupiter and Venus are also nearby waiting for their own conjunctions.
June 17: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 2°32′ of each other.
At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 2°27′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.
The two celestial bodies will meet in the constellation of Gemini with the Moon at apparent magnitude of -9.9 and Jupiter at -1.8. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Daytime Arietid meteor shower peak on June 7.) The Moon will be 3 days old or waxing crescent at 9%.
June 17: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will be at conjunction by sharing the same right ascension and passing within 17′ of each other.
At around the same time the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 16.2 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension. In the Contiguous United States, most of inhabited Canada, the Caribbean, Venezuela, the Guianas, and parts of northern Brazil this distance will be so close as to lead to a lunar occultation of Venus, meaning the Moon will pass in front of Venus thereby hiding it from view temporarily.
The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 14%. Despite this, the Moon will still be at apparent magnitude of -10.3, while Venus will be at magnitude -4.0 both in the constellation of Cancer.
June 17: Butterfly cluster at its highest point in the sky
The Butterfly cluster (also known as Messier 6, M6, and NGC 6405) is an open star cluster located in the constellation of Scorpius. It was named this way because of a vague resemblance to a butterfly.
At apparent magnitude 4.2, M6 is very tricky to make out with the naked eye unless the conditions are near perfect. However it is easily visible with binoculars or a small telescope. The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 14%, so it won’t be interfering much with stargazing this middle of June 2026.
June 18: Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster
The Moon and the Beehive Cluster (also known as M44 or Messier 44) will make a close approach, passing within 48.0 arcminutes of each other.
Both objects will be in the constellation of Cancer with the Moon being at apparent magnitude -10.5; and the Beehive Cluster at 3.1. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Venus on June 17.) The Moon will be a 4 days old waxing crescent at 15%.
Venus will also be nearby, waiting for its own close approach with the Beehive Cluster.
June 20: Close approach of Venus and Beehive Cluster
Venus and the Beehive Cluster (also known as M44 or Messier 44) will make a close approach, passing within 43.1 arcminutes of each other.
Both objects will be in the constellation of Cancer with Venus being at apparent magnitude -4.0; and the Beehive Cluster at 3.1. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Venus on June 17.) The Moon will be a 6 days old waxing crescent at 44%.
June 20: The Ptolemy cluster at its highest point in the sky
The Ptolemy cluster (also known as Messier 7, M7, or NGC 6475) is an open star cluster located in the constellation of Scorpius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Butterfly cluster at its highest point in the sky on June 17.) As this cluster is visible to the naked eye, it was known since antiquity and was first recorded by Greek-Roman astronomer Ptolemy in 130 AD.
At apparent magnitude 3.3, the Ptolemy cluster is visible to the naked eye, but only with ideal conditions. Use binoculars or a small telescope for better viewing. The Moon will be a 6 days old waxing crescent at 44%.
June 21: June solstice
The June solstice will occur at 08:27 UTC. It will be the longest day and beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and the shortest day and beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere.
June 23: The Lagoon Nebula at its highest point in the sky
The Lagoon Nebula (also known as Messier 8, M8, or NGC 6523) in the constellation of Sagittarius is a giant interstellar cloud classified as an emission nebula and includes an H II region. (See featured image at the top.)
At apparent magnitude 5.8, the Lagoon Nebula is easily visible with binoculars or a small telescope. The Moon will be a 9 days old waxing gibbous at 73%.
June 27: June Bootid meteor shower peak
The June Bootids will peak with a variable zenithal hourly rate. This June 2026 the Moon will be interfering with stargazing as will be 13 days old waxing gibbous at 96%.
Some meteors may also be spotted between June 22 and July 2. They will radiate from the constellation of Boötes at the low speed of 18 km/s on average. The meteors from this shower originate from comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke.
Positions of the Planets in June 2026
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Taurus and Gemini. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Gemini and Cancer. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
- Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Aries.
- Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Gemini. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation Cetus and then Pisces.
- Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the use of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in June 2026
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the help of a telescope.
- Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Cetus with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Pisces.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Gemini.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.
Major astronomical events next month – July 2026
- July 9: Asteroid 18 Melpomene at opposition
- July 9: Asteroid 8 Flora at opposition
- July 10: July Pegasid meteor shower peak
- July 27: Asteroid 3 Juno at opposition
- July 27: Dwarf planet Pluto at opposition
- July 28: July γ-Draconid meteor shower peak
- July 28: Piscis Austrinid meteor shower peak
- July 29: Asteroid 324 Bamberga at opposition
- July 30: Southern δ-Aquariid meteor shower peak
- July 30: α-Capricornid meteor shower peak
Conclusion
June 2026 offers a packed lineup of astronomy events, from planetary conjunctions and close lunar pairings to meteor showers, deep-sky objects, and the June solstice. Whether you’re watching the bright meeting of Venus and Jupiter, tracking the Moon’s encounters across the sky, or catching meteors streaking overhead, there’s plenty to enjoy. Make the most of your stargazing adventures this June 2026!
To ensure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Keep your telescopes ready and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!
Sources:
- Planetary ephemerides produced by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- International Meteor Organization
See also:
- Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for May 2026
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Paul Tomaszewski
Paul Tomaszewski is a science & tech writer as well as a programmer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of CosmoBC. He has a degree in computer science from John Abbott College, a bachelor's degree in technology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and completed some business and economics classes at Concordia University in Montreal. While in college he was the vice-president of the Astronomy Club. In his spare time he is an amateur astronomer and enjoys reading or watching science-fiction. You can follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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