How to Watch the Rare Daylight Lunar Occultation of Venus on June 17, 2026
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, skywatchers across the contiguous United States and Canada will witness a lunar occultation of Venus, an event where the crescent moon passes directly in front of the planet. This rare daytime occurrence, visible for the first time in 11 years, will also be observable from Brazil and Venezuela, according to In-The-Sky.org.
How to observe the occultation safely
Because the event takes place in broad daylight, observers must take precautions to protect their vision. Dr. Tony Phillips of Spaceweather.com advises skywatchers to stand in the shadow of a building while scanning the blue sky with binoculars to locate the 11%-lit crescent moon. By positioning oneself in a shadow, viewers can avoid the risk of accidentally pointing optical equipment at the sun, which can cause permanent eye damage.
The June 17, 2026, event marks the first time in 11 years that a daylight lunar occultation of Venus has been visible over the United States.
Timing of the Venus disappearance
The occultation begins when Venus disappears behind the dark limb of the moon and concludes when the planet reappears near the bright crescent. While the event is visible across the U.S. and Canada, the exact timing varies by location. According to the International Occultation Timing Association, East Coast observers can expect the event to begin around 4:00 p.m. EDT, while West Coast viewers will see it start near 11:40 a.m. PDT.
The significance of this event lies in the rare alignment of celestial bodies during daylight hours. While many astronomical observations require the dark cover of night, this occultation offers a unique opportunity to track planetary movement against a bright sky, provided observers prioritize safety by avoiding direct solar exposure with optical tools.
What happens after sunset
Following the occultation, the moon will move away from Venus, creating a scene visible in the western sky about an hour after sunset. At this time, the 12%-lit waxing crescent moon will appear alongside Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury. Additionally, observers using binoculars to view the moon may spot the Beehive Cluster, an open star cluster containing approximately 1,000 stars located in the constellation Cancer. The Virtual Telescope Project plans to livestream these events via robotic telescopes in Italy starting at 19:45 UTC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to look at the sun during this event?
No. Never aim binoculars, telescopes, or any optical equipment near the sun, as doing so can cause immediate and permanent eye damage.
Where is the best place to see the occultation?
The event is visible across the entire contiguous U.S. and much of Canada, as well as parts of Brazil and Venezuela. Observers should stand in the shadow of a building to safely scan the sky for the moon.
What is the Beehive Cluster?
Also known as M44 or Praesepe, the Beehive Cluster is an open cluster of approximately 1,000 stars located in the constellation Cancer that will be visible near the moon after sunset.
Are you planning to use binoculars to track the moon’s path across the sky during this rare daylight event?