Observing News

Solstice Sky Parade: Mercury, Jupiter and Venus light up Sunday evening

On Sunday, June 21, 2026 (the summer solstice), the evening sky features a bright lineup of Mercury in Gemini, Jupiter, Venus, Regulus, the Moon, and Spica tracing a line along the ecliptic after sunset; the summer solstice occurs at 4:25 AM EDT, with sunrise about 5:32 AM and sunset around 8:32 PM. The Moon is waxing gibbous (about 52% illuminated) and First Quarter Moon arrives at 5:55 PM EDT. The article also highlights checking Sky This Week for more sky events.