TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Skywatchers will have plenty to look forward to in the night sky in June. From Jupiter-Venus conjunction in the first week to a full Strawberry moon near month’s end, each of these spectacles promises a worthy reason to stay up late.
If you’re keen to catch the excitement, here’s your full guide to what’s coming in the night sky in June, citing National Geographic and Almanac.
What to See in the Night Sky in June
1. June 8–9: Venus-Jupiter Conjunction
Since late May, Venus and Jupiter have been inching closer to each other, and the first week of June is set to be no different. The two planets will appear within 1.5 degrees of each other from June 8 to 9. Stargazers can look toward the northwest sky after sunset, with binoculars handy for a more detailed sighting.
2. June 10: Saturn-Moon Conjunction
Hot on its heels, Saturn will shine alongside the thin crescent moon. The two will drift within 5 degrees of each other after midnight. Be an early riser and bring a telescope to make the most of the pairing.
3. June 11: Mars, Moon, Saturn Alignment
Around an hour before sunrise on June 11, one of the most unique alignments in the night sky in June takes place as Mars, the moon, and Saturn appear close together in the eastern sky. Stargazers will spot the trio at its best when viewing from a location with clear sky and minimal horizon obstructions.
4. June 15: New Moon
June’s new moon arrives on June 15, when the moon sits between the Earth and the sun and becomes almost invisible. Think darker skies and better chances of spotting clusters of millions of stars visible even to the naked eye. As always, head out to a place with minimal light pollution for the best experience.
5. June 21: Summer Solstice
When the sun reaches its highest point above the equator, June 21 marks the first day of astronomical summer for the Northern Hemisphere. Starting at 4:42 a.m. EDT, this night sky event in June carries beyond monthly significance, as it brings the longest day and shortest night of the year.
6. June 27: Bootid Meteor Shower
After the Eta Aquariids in early May, stargazers are treated to another shower toward the end of the night sky in June. The Bootid Meteor Shower peaks on the 27th, though viewing conditions are less than ideal with a nearly full moon brightening the sky. That said, intermittent outbursts of 100 or so meteors per hour may occasionally catch stargazers by surprise.
7. June 29: Strawberry Moon
Set to occur around 8 p.m. ET on June 29, the full Strawberry Moon is the first official full moon of summer and 2026's second-smallest full moon. Despite its nickname, the moon will simply take on warmer yellow or orange tones rather than anything strawberry-like. And when it sits low on the horizon rather than high overhead, it may appear deceptively larger, according to Forbes.
The night sky in June will reward that sense of wonder for those willing to look up and spare a bit of patience. If that sounds like your kind of night, heading to the darkest places in the US could take your stargazing experience to the next level.
Read: When Jupiter Glow Beneath the Moon After Sunset Tonight
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