Crescent moon joins Venus, Jupiter and Mercury in June evening sky

A crescent moon joins Venus, Jupiter and Mercury in the western sky after sunset this week, offering Summit County skywatchers a brief early-summer display. Photo: Stefan Schwinghammer

A close moon-Venus pairing is expected Wednesday, with Venus and Jupiter still bright in the western sky after sunset

PARK CITY, Utah — Summit County skywatchers may want to look west shortly after sunset this week, as a crescent moon joins a bright lineup of planets low on the evening horizon.

NASA said June has brought a series of skywatching highlights, including Venus and Jupiter appearing close together after sunset and Mercury joining the scene low in the western sky. While the tightest three-planet “mini parade” peaked earlier this week, Venus and Jupiter remain bright markers in the twilight sky, with Mercury lower and harder to spot near the horizon.

The view gets another layer on Tuesday and Wednesday as the young crescent moon moves through the same part of the sky. On Wednesday, June 17, NASA said the moon will pass in front of Venus from some locations, an event known as a lunar occultation. Outside the exact viewing path, many skywatchers will still see a close pairing of the moon and Venus.

For Park City-area viewers, the best chance will be shortly after sunset with a clear, unobstructed view to the west. Venus will be the brightest and easiest object to spot, with Jupiter nearby. Mercury will sit lower in the twilight glow and may require a very clear horizon.

The June sky show comes just days before the summer solstice, which NASA said arrives Sunday, June 21, marking the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere.