Venus will disappear behind the Moon in a rare June sky event

June offers plenty for skywatchers, including a close meeting between Venus and Jupiter, a rare event where the Moon passes in front of Venus, the arrival of astronomical summer, and the return of some favorite deep-sky targets.

Skywatching Highlights June 9: Venus and Jupiter conjunction June 11-15: Mercury joins Venus and Jupiter after sunset June 17: Moon passes in front of Venus & close Moon and Venus pairing June 21: June solstice & start of astronomical summer June: Summer Triangle and deep-sky observing targets rise into view[See Video Link After Article.]

Venus and Jupiter Shine Together After Sunset

During the first half of June, look toward the western horizon shortly after sunset to spot Venus and Jupiter. The two brightest planets visible in the evening sky will appear especially close together around June 9.

This event is known as a planetary conjunction. Although the planets remain millions of miles apart in space, they appear near each other from Earth's perspective.