June 14, 2026: The moon reaches New phase and begins lunation 1280. See Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury after sunset, while Saturn and Mars improve in the eastern sky before sunrise.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 5:15 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 8:27 p.m. CDT. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Venus as an Evening Star
New Moon
The moon reaches the New phase and the beginning of lunation 1280, the count of lunar cycles since the numbering system began over a century ago, at 9:54 p.m. Central Time. In two evenings, the waxing crescent moon appears near Jupiter and Mercury.
Morning Planets
Before sunrise, Saturn is easily visible while Mars’ viewing prospects improve. An hour before sunrise, golden Saturn is 25° above the east-southeast horizon. The Ringed Wonder is not as bright as the evening planets, but it is brighter than all the stars in the region. It creeps slowly eastward in front of Pisces’ dim stars. Here at mid-twilight, the planet’s telescopic visibility is affected by its low altitude and morning’s early light. Wait for these views later in the summer when the planet is higher in the sky before morning twilight begins.
Mars, over 36° to Saturn’s lower left, is nearly 10° above the east-northeast horizon. From an observing spot with a clear view of the horizon, find the Red Planet through a binocular. It marches eastward in front of Aries, over 15° to Hamal’s lower left, the Ram’s brightest star. Mars continues to widen the gap with Saturn each morning.
Evening Planets
After sunset, brilliant Venus is about 15° above the west-northwest horizon. The Evening Star outshines all other stars in the sky. It passed Jupiter in a pretty conjunction on June 9, and tonight Venus is 5.3° to the Jovian Giant’s upper left. Venus steps eastward in front of Cancer’s dim stars that are further diminished by evening twilight. Jupiter is 7.0° to Pollux’s lower left, one of the Gemini Twins.
Mercury, over 5° above the horizon, is 8.3° to Jupiter’s lower right. It fades from view as it reaches greatest elongation. A binocular is needed to see it. Tonight, it is too far from Jupiter to see them together in the same binocular field of view.
While Saturn and Mars improve in the morning sky, Mercury’s evening appearance is nearing its end. In two evenings, the waxing crescent moon joins Jupiter and Mercury in the western sky.
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