June 2026 Stargazing: Solstice, Planetary Conjunctions, and a Strawberry Moon
June 2026 offers a variety of celestial events for stargazers. Highlights include a Venus and Jupiter conjunction from June 1 to June 9, where the two brightest planets will be visible together shortly after sunset. On June 15, a super new moon coincides with Mercury's greatest eastern elongation, providing an excellent opportunity to spot the elusive planet. The summer solstice occurs on June 21 at 4:25 a.m. ET, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Toward the end of the month, a full micro Strawberry Moon will rise on June 29, appearing smaller and dimmer due to its distance from Earth. Finally, June 30 is International Asteroid Day, raising awareness about asteroid impact risks.