June 8, 2026 by Sophia Karrel (‘29)
Whether it’s an evening spent stargazing, or a night spent around a campfire, the night sky is a vital part of the quintessential summer experience. This article will explore seven of the most eye-catching and unique astronomical events to mark on your calendar this summer.
- Planetary Conjunction
Over the coming weeks, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury will be dominating the night sky’s stage. Jupiter and Venus have already begun approaching one another and on June 9, the two planets will appear at their closest point before gradually moving apart in the following days. By early July, Jupiter will fade into the twilight and will no longer be visible. While Jupiter and Venus have this celestial rendezvous, Mercury will be visible through June 22. Although Mercury is notoriously difficult to spot due to its proximity to the sun, it will be easier to observe during this period, appearing in the lower portion of the sky.
- Alignment of Mars, Saturn, and the Moon
On June 11, Mars, Saturn, and the waning crescent moon will offer a rare sight. These three celestial bodies will be visible in a compact diagonal sequence around an hour before sunrise. The alignment will be visible with the naked eye but can be amplified with binoculars or telescopes.
- Mars meets Regulus
On June 16-18, Mars and Regulus will align in the western night sky forming a unique spectacle due to their apparent proximity and color pairing. Regulus is the brightest star in the Leo constellation and on June 17 its distance from Mars will appear the shortest. During this close approach, the color contrast between Mars and Regulus will be most apparent. Mar’s red-orange hue will contrast with Regulus’ blue-white glow creating a unique color pairing. For the best viewing, look up just after twilight.
- Mercury at its Greatest Elongation West
On August 2, Mercury will reach its greatest western elongation, appearing at its greatest apparent distance from the Sun in the sky. This separation allows for easier viewing in the early morning sky, and the peak viewing hour will occur around an hour before sunrise.
- Total Solar Eclipse
The total solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on August 12. The path of totality will cross over Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and the northeastern tip of Portugal. This eclipse is significant for Spaniards as a total solar eclipse hasn’t been visible from Spain’s mainland since 1905. While the path of totality is narrow, a partial eclipse can be viewed across North America, Europe, and Northern Africa. In New York, the best viewing can be found in the northwestern portion of the state.
- Perseid Meteor Shower
One of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year is the annual Perseid Meteor shower. This event will occur between July 17 to August 24 as Earth passes through the debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Viewers can expect bright meteors streaking across the sky with colorful tails. The showers will be at their peak over August 12 and 13 and the best viewing is likely to occur just before dawn.
- Partial Lunar Eclipse
On August 27-28 one of the most dramatic Lunar eclipses of the past few years will occur. During this eclipse, up to 96% of the Moon’s width will pass through the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow. The entire eclipse will be viewable from North America.
A total solar eclipse will occur this summer. Everything you need to know