SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Venus Disappears Behind Moon in Rare Daytime Occultation on June 17, 2026
WHY IT MATTERS
The occultation offers a rare opportunity for daytime observation of Venus, and the upcoming events provide additional chances for scientific study and public engagement with planetary motion.
What happened
On June 17, 2026, a daytime lunar occultation of Venus was observed from the United States and parts of Canada, including the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington.
The Moon moved directly in front of Venus, briefly hiding the planet from view. This event marked the first of three occultations scheduled for 2026.
The next two will occur on September 14, visible from Asia, Africa, Europe, and western Russia, and on November 7, visible from southern South America.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Lunar Occultation of Venus
NASA · Gary Daines · NASA media usage guidelines; third-party material excluded