Best night sky events this week June 2026: Mars will pass the Seven Sisters this week and it won’t happen again until 2034 – here’s how to see it and other night sky events you must not miss
Some of the season’s brightest celestial landmarks are now easier to spot in the early evening, although stronger moonlight washes out many fainter stars.
The Moon and Stars Share the Agenda This Week
The week begins with a close match between the Moon and Spica, the brightest star of the constellation Virgo. According to a report, the waxing gibbous moon, which is 71% illuminated on Tuesday, June 23, will pass just two degrees past Spica.
Later in the week, on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, the Moon will appear on either side of the bright red supergiant star Antares in the constellation Scorpio, according to the Forbes report. Antares is often confused with Mars due to its reddish appearance.
Last Opportunity to See Three Evening Planets at Once
Wednesday, June 24 marks the last opportunity to see Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus together in the evening sky. Mercury is currently very low in the western sky below Jupiter and Venus and will soon disappear from view. Observers will need to have a clear view of the western horizon to see all three planets after sunset.
Mars Approaches the Seven Sisters
One of the most anticipated sights of the week involves Mars and the famous Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters or M45, according to a Forbes report.
Those who want to get up about an hour before sunrise can look east and see Mars positioned to the right of the Pleiades. Mars will continue to move beneath the cluster throughout the week, reaching its closest point on Sunday, June 28, when it appears just 4.3 degrees away. According to WhenTheCurvesLineUp.com, this close encounter between Mars and the Pleiades won’t happen again until 2034.
Large Asteroid Makes a Safe Flight to Earth
On Saturday, June 27, asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 will pass close to Earth but safely. According to the Forbes report, the asteroid will approach our planet at approximately 2.6 million kilometers, or approximately 6.7 times the average distance between the Earth and the moon.
Scientists estimate that the asteroid is between 710 and 1,600 meters wide. Objects this size pass this close to Earth only once every ten years. The Virtual Telescope Project plans to stream the flyby live online on June 26 and June 27.
Summer Triangle Continues Its Ascent
Despite the bright moonlight, it’s still easy to spot some of summer’s brightest stars. Vega now climbs higher in the eastern sky each evening, and will soon be joined by Deneb and Altair.
Together, these three stars form the famous Summer Triangle, a prominent feature of the Northern Hemisphere’s night sky until October.
Constellation of the Week: Scorpius
Scorpius can now be seen low in the southern sky, offering a view of one of the richest star fields in the skies. Its brightest star, Antares, is the most famous in the constellation Scorpius and is easy to identify due to its distinctive red color, according to a Forbes report.
For observers at northern latitudes, Scorpius remains relatively low above the horizon. According to the Forbes report, looking towards this constellation also means looking towards the core of the Milky Way, one of the most densely populated regions of the night sky.
FAQ
What bright star will appear near the moon on June 23?
The waxing gibbous moon will pass near Spica in the constellation Virgo.
When is the last chance to see Mercury, Venus and Jupiter together?
Skywatchers can see all three planets together after sunset on Wednesday, June 24.
