Jupiter and Venus

above the Neckar in Tübingen

Date:	29.05.2026	Time:	22:35 CEST
Exposure:	3.2 s and 6 s	Field of View:	38° x 52°
Camera:	Lumix S5IIX at ISO 800	Optics:	35 mm at f/3.2
Place:	Tübingen	Photo:	Till Credner

The planets Jupiter (left hand side) and Venus (right) form a bright and approaching pair in the first half of June 2026. They show up in the western twilight sky of the evening. Above are the stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation of Gemini. The planetary pair becomes closest at June 8th and 9th. Mercury will visit this scene for about two weeks, around mid of june, but closer to the sun. Therefore you need a clear and obstruction free horizon for a good view of fainter Mercury. The young crescent moon will be close by at June 16th and 17th. After this Jupiter will approach the bright glare of the sun and finishes its evening visibilty for the year 2026.
Data source: Stellarium software, Sterne und Weltraum 6/26 magazine