Look up! The moon and Venus will stage a rare daytime disappearing act today

A fiery orange sunset sky with the moon upper center and Venus to the lower right.

The moon passes directly in front of Venus during a rare daylight occultation on June 17, 2026, creating one of the month's most unusual and technically challenging skywatching events.

For most of North America, the moon will slide over Venus in the mid-afternoon. The chances of witnessing this rare event are good, provided the skies are clear and deep blue.