Weekly Sky and Space Update

Your guide from WLRH’s Curiosity Squad to what’s up in North Alabama’s sky for the week of June 22 2026

Provided by Eric Silkowski from the Von Braun Astronomical Society

It’s time for the Sky and Space Update for the week of June 22nd.

Sadly, the summer solstice is now behind us. Days now begin getting shorter every day until December. The good news is that the shortening of days is small at first, but accelerates a little each day until reaching maximum at the autumnal equinox in September, then slows again all the way to December. For this week, we still enjoy near solstice levels of sunlight with over 14 hours and 30 minutes. One of the peculiarities of our non-circular orbit around the sun is that both sunrise and sunset are getting a little later each day. On average, sunrise is around 5.33 a.m. and sunset around 8.05 p.m. We only lose about 1 minute and 18 seconds this week.

The moon is waxing gibbous all week. It begins the week rising at 1.41 p.m. during daylight and setting at 1.10 a.m. We end the week with the moon nearly full at 97% illumination.

Mercury is still visible above the setting sun in the west, but will get lower as the week rolls on. Jupiter is falling on Mercury’s heels about 3.5 degrees behind and sets before 9.30 p.m. by week’s end. Venus is higher in the west and sets after 10.30 p.m. Saturn is now rising around 1 a.m. and advancing earlier each night. Mars is also rising earlier each night and by the end of the week, Mars will be above the eastern horizon by 3.10 a.m.

If you look to the south around 10 p.m., you will see the zodiac constellation Libra. Libra represents the scales, an old-time balance beam scale with two pans for weighing objects. It doesn’t have any really bright stars, so look for a triangle in the sky with the apex pointing up. Libra is to the left and below Virgo and above and to the right of Scorpius. Libra as a constellation goes all the way back to the Babylonians over 2,800 years ago. It’s not certain why they thought this star grouping looked like scales. One theory is that the sun is in Libra during the autumn equinox, so days and nights are equal. The scales are in balance when the sun visits. Greek astronomers had a different view and viewed Libra as the claws of Scorpius rather than scales. Ancient Egyptians had yet another idea and viewed the triangle shape as a boat, reminiscent of the paper boats you might have floated as a child. We all see different things when we look up at the night sky.

The important thing is to get outside and look. What wonders will you find and where will your imagination take you? I hope you take the time this week to gaze at the stars and as always, please turn off any unnecessary outdoor lighting. Thanks for listening to the Curiosity Squad Sky and Space Update for the week of June 22, 2026. I’m Eric Silkowski