Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2026-W24

Week begins: Monday, June 8, 2026

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Jun 8, 2026♊ 19
🌗 Last Quarter — 10:00:31 UTC
M101 — Telescope 8 — Northern Spring
Hadar (β Cen) — Naked eye 1 — Southern Spring
Thuban (α Dra) / Thuban (α Draconis) — Binoculars 4 — Northern Spring
Finest NGC 86 / NGC 5466 — Telescope 9 — Northern Spring
Tue, Jun 9, 2026♊ 20
Menkent (θ Cen) — Naked eye 2 — Southern Spring
Wed, Jun 10, 2026♊ 21
Thu, Jun 11, 2026♊ 22
Arcturus (α Boo) / Arcturus (α Boötis) — Naked eye 0 — Tropical Spring
Fri, Jun 12, 2026♊ 23
Sat, Jun 13, 2026♊ 24
Sun, Jun 14, 2026♊ 25
Proxima Centauri (V645 Centauri) — Telescope — Southern Spring

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins June 8, 2026, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♊︎ 17°14′
β +0°00′		♓︎ 12°16′
β +0°49′		♋︎ 10°01′
β +1°57′		♋︎ 23°38′
β +2°01′		♉︎ 14°56′
β −0°33′		♋︎ 25°25′
β +0°25′		♈︎ 12°48′
β −2°17′
ObservingNightNaked eye -10.3Naked eye 0.1Naked eye -4.0Naked eye 1.3Naked eye -1.9Naked eye 0.9
Rise04:1500:1105:4406:5202:3707:0901:32
Set19:4511:2721:3522:2616:5522:2214:01

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♊︎ 4°06′
β −2°52′		♊︎ 2°28′
β −0°10′		♈︎ 4°11′
β −1°21′		♒︎ 5°17′
β −4°10′
Observing☉︎☉︎Telescope 7.8TelescopeTelescope 14.5
Rise03:4603:2601:0923:07
Set18:2618:2813:1807:53

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-22 16:17:29 UTC

View:

ISO 2026-W24 runs from June 8 through June 14. Ceres and Uranus are separated by about 1.6° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus and Jupiter are separated by about 1.8° in geocentric ecliptic longitude at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Naked eye: 🌗 Last Quarter — 10:00:31 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Hadar, Menkent, Arcturus as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Hadar: The Bright Beacon of Centaurus — A prominent star that guides astronomers and stargazers alike, Hadar stands out in the night sky.

Menkent: A Bright Star in Centaurus Illuminating the Night Sky — Discover the characteristics and significance of Menkent, a notable star in the constellation Centaurus, as part of the celestial tapestry.

Arcturus: The Brightest Giant Star of Boötes — A luminous beacon in the night sky, Arcturus offers stargazers a glimpse into stellar evolution and celestial prominence.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -10.3; direct motion; 54.5% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Mars in ecliptic longitude Jun 12 18:37 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 23:26 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Jun 10 07:29 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 17:30 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 16:04 UTC. Mercury: Naked eye; magnitude 0.1; direct motion; 53.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.0; direct motion; 77.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 19:59 UTC. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 1.3; direct motion; 96.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 12 18:37 UTC. Ceres: In solar glare; magnitude 8.8; direct motion; 99.8% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 23:26 UTC. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -1.9; direct motion; 99.6% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 19:59 UTC. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.9; direct motion; 99.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 10 07:29 UTC. Uranus: In solar glare; magnitude 5.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 17:30 UTC. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.8; direct motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 16:04 UTC. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.5; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Binoculars: Trace Draco’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Thuban at its charted position.

Thuban: The Ancient Celestial Polestar of the Dragon — A detailed overview of Thuban, a prominent star in Draco, highlighting its significance in celestial history and current scientific understanding.

Small telescope: Pinwheel Galaxy: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 5466: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Proxima Centauri: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

The Pinwheel Galaxy: A Majestic Spiral in Ursa Major — An exploration of one of the most striking spiral galaxies visible in the northern sky.

Mysteries of a Globular Cluster in Boötes — An exploration of a stellar gathering that continues to intrigue astronomers and stargazers alike.

Proxima Centauri: The Nearest Star on a Wide Orbit — Our closest stellar neighbor belongs to Alpha Centauri, yet stands several Moon widths from its brilliant companions.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 4.5° above the horizon. Rises 05:44; sets 21:35 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.1. The disk is 53.9% illuminated (gibbous). It is 22.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.381° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 8.7° away. Mercury: 8.7° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 12.8° above the horizon. Rises 06:52; sets 22:26 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.0. The disk is 77.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 36.4° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.172° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 4.7° away. Jupiter is 2.4° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Jupiter in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 19:59 UTC. Venus: 4.7° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 33.4° below the horizon. Rises 00:11; sets 11:27 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -10.3. The disk is 54.5% illuminated (waning gibbous). It is 95.0° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 12.806° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 10.6° away. Conjunction with Mars in ecliptic longitude Jun 12 18:37 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 23:26 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Jun 10 07:29 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 17:30 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 16:04 UTC. Moon: 10.6° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 28.4° below the horizon. Rises 02:37; sets 16:55 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.3. The disk is 96.2% illuminated (gibbous). It is 32.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.735° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Menkar, 12.0° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 12 18:37 UTC. Mars: 12.0° from Menkar in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 12.6° above the horizon. Rises 07:09; sets 22:22 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.9. The disk is 99.6% illuminated (nearly full). It is 38.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.196° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 6.5° away. Venus is 2.4° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Venus in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 19:59 UTC. Jupiter: 6.5° from Pollux in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 39.5° below the horizon. Rises 01:32; sets 14:01 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.9. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 64.5° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.076° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 18.2° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 10 07:29 UTC. Saturn: 18.2° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 03:26; sets 18:28 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 14.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.057° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 9.3° away. Ceres is 3.2° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 17:30 UTC. Uranus: 9.3° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 38.9° below the horizon. Rises 01:09; sets 13:18 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.8. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 73.1° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.016° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 18.4° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 09 16:04 UTC. Neptune: 18.4° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 03:46; sets 18:26 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.8. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 13.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.409° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 6.6° away. Uranus is 3.2° away at the snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Jun 13 23:26 UTC. Ceres: 6.6° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 21.3° below the horizon. Rises 23:07; sets 07:53 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 131.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.014° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.8° away. Pluto: 8.8° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.