There are three planets in our southwestern sky. Venus is the easiest to find and the brightest. Just look at least 45 minutes after sunset for the planet. Earlier this this week, on Wednesday, the moon occulted Venus in the daytime. The waxing crescent moon has since moved farther away.
Take a closer look towards the horizon and you will see the bright planet Jupiter. Earlier this month, Jupiter and Venus were a close pair in the zodiacal constellation Gemini. Look now and you'll notice the two have parted company. Jupiter is closer to the horizon and near the much fainter planet Mercury. If the weather is fair and you are looking carefully you'll see the two planets.
Mercury has been ideally placed for sighting this month, however that is about to change. Mercury is always close to the sun, always in either the light of dawn or at dusk, always close to the horizon. But with the help of Jupiter, you might see it amid the light of twilight.
Jupiter is also getting closer to the horizon. We've only got a short time ahead to see this bright planet as it gets closer and closer to the setting sun. Later this year, Jupiter becomes a morning planet.
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., June 19 | 5:06 | 8:18 |
| Sat., June 20 | 5:06 | 8:19 |
| Sun., June 21 | 5:07 | 8:19 |
| Mon., June 22 | 5:07 | 8:19 |
| Tues., June 23 | 5:07 | 8:19 |
| Wed., June 24 | 5:07 | 8:19 |
| Thurs., June 25 | 5:08 | 8:20 |
| Fri., June 26 | 5:08 | 8:20 |
| Day | Max (Fº) | Min (Fº) | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | 80 | 65 | 0.00 |
| June 13 | 88 | 70 | 0.00 |
| June 14 | 86 | 62 | 0.00 |
| June 15 | 85 | 65 | 0.08 |
| June 16 | 81 | 60 | 0.00 |
| June 17 | 75 | 57 | 0.00 |
| June 18 | 75 | 59 | 0.00 |
This article appears in June 19, 2026.