Planetary Parade of Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and the Moon
A colourful guide to one of the most beautiful evening sky shows visible from India this June.
What you will see
This June, the evening sky will offer a stunning planetary parade. Venus and Jupiter will shine brightest, Mercury will appear lower near the horizon, and the thin crescent Moon will add extra beauty to the scene
The alignment is not a true line in space, but from Earth it will look like the planets are grouped together in a glowing arc above the sunset glow.
June 11–15
Mercury joins Venus and Jupiter in a compact evening grouping.
Mini paradeJune 16–17
The crescent Moon appears with Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury for the prettiest view of the month
Moon joins inBest direction
Face the western or west-northwestern sky shortly after sunset for the clearest view
Look westHow to watch from India
- Choose a place with a clear western horizon, such as an open field, rooftop, beach, or terrace.
- Start observing about 30 to 45 minutes after sunset.
- Use your naked eye first; binoculars can help if Mercury is hard to spot.
- Stay away from bright city lights for the best contrast.
Why this parade is special
Venus and Jupiter are the two brightest planets in the night sky, so their close appearance is especially eye-catching. Mercury is harder to see because it stays close to the Sun, which makes this short window a rare treat for skywatchers.
On June 16 and 17, the Moon’s thin crescent will create a soft, glowing accent that makes the whole scene look almost painterly.
Simple caption ideas
- "June’s sky is putting on a golden show."
- "Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and the Moon in one evening frame."
- "Look west after sunset for the June 2026 planetary parade."
