541.

Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii The Moon will pass in front of Sigma Sagittarii (Nunki), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Argentina, Chile, Peru and New Zealand amongst others. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 at 05:03 EST (228 days away) in Sagittarius

542.

Mercury at aphelion Mercury passes the furthest point along its orbit from the Sun. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 at 05:53 EST (229 days away) in Gemini

543.

Messier 22 is well placed The globular cluster M22 (mag 5.2) in Sagittarius, near the Galactic centre, culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 (229 days away) in Sagittarius

544.

The cluster IC 4756 is well placed The open star cluster IC 4756 (mag 4.6) in Serpens culminates at around midnight local time. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 (229 days away) in Serpens Cauda

545.

Conjunction of Mars and Uranus Mars and Uranus share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6'26". Sat, 04 Jul 2026 at 01:23 EST (232 days away) in Taurus

546.

Close approach of Mars and Uranus Mars and Uranus pass within 6'18" of each other. Sat, 04 Jul 2026 at 02:11 EST (232 days away) in Taurus

547.

The Earth at aphelion The Earth reaches its furthest point from the Sun. Mon, 06 Jul 2026 at 13:30 EST (234 days away) in Pisces

548.

Neptune enters retrograde motion Neptune reverses its direction of motion across the sky. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 at 07:40 EST (235 days away) in Pisces

549.

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn pass close to each other. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 at 12:32 EST (235 days away) in Pisces

550.

Moon at Last Quarter The Moon reaches last quarter phase – rising in the east at around midnight and appearing high in the sky by sunrise. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 at 15:29 EST (235 days away) in Pisces

551.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn The Moon and Saturn share the same right ascension, at a separation of 6°39'. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 at 17:49 EST (235 days away) in Pisces

552.

Asteroid 18 Melpomene at opposition Asteroid 18 Melpomene makes closest approach to the Earth. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 at 03:10 EST (237 days away) in Aquila

553.

Asteroid 8 Flora at opposition Asteroid 8 Flora makes closest approach to the Earth. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 at 17:34 EST (237 days away) in Sagittarius

554.

Close approach of the Moon and M45 The Moon and M45 pass close to each other. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 at 19:17 EST (238 days away) in Taurus

555.

The Great Peacock Globular Cluster is well placed The bright globular cluster NGC 6752 (mag 5.4) in Pavo culminates at around midnight local time. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 (238 days away) in Pavo

556.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars pass close to each other. Sat, 11 Jul 2026 at 09:24 EST (239 days away) in Taurus

557.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars The Moon and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 5°19'. Sat, 11 Jul 2026 at 10:40 EST (239 days away) in Taurus

558.

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri The Moon will pass in front of Beta Tauri (Elnath), creating a lunar occultation visible from countries and territories including Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Argentina amongst others. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 at 07:32 EST (240 days away) in Taurus

559.

Mercury at inferior solar conjunction Mercury passes around the near side of the Sun. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 at 21:20 EST (240 days away) in Gemini

560.

The Moon at perigee The Moon makes its monthly closest approach to the Earth, making it appear fractionally larger than at other times of the month. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 at 03:56 EST (241 days away) in Gemini