A lovely sky show is coming in June 2026. On June 17, the Moon will pass in front of Venus. This is called a lunar occultation. For a short time, Venus will seem to “disappear” behind the Moon. Later, it will appear again. NASA says this event will be visible from parts of the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela. (jpl.nasa.gov)
This event is special because Venus is one of the brightest objects in the sky. The Moon is much closer to Earth than Venus, so when the two line up just right, the Moon can hide the planet from our view. People outside the exact path will not see Venus go behind the Moon, but they may still see the Moon and Venus very close together. (jpl.nasa.gov)
The June sky has more to enjoy. Around June 9, Venus and Jupiter appear especially close after sunset. From June 11 to 15, Mercury joins them low in the western sky, making a small “planet parade.” Then, a day or two later, the Moon joins the group before it moves in front of Venus on June 17. So this rare occultation is part of a whole week of beautiful evening sights. (jpl.nasa.gov)
There is one very important safety point. NASA warns that for many people, the occultation happens in daytime. Never point binoculars, a telescope, or a camera near the Sun unless you have proper solar-safe equipment. If you watch carefully and safely, this can be a wonderful chance to see how moving objects in space can create a surprising show in our sky. (jpl.nasa.gov)










