On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, sky-watchers could see a super-thin crescent Moon very close to the planet Mercury soon after sunset. The Moon looked so skinny it could remind you of a shiny little sliver.
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so it stays near the Sun’s bright glow in our sky. That makes Mercury tricky to spot, like trying to notice something small near a very bright light.
Binoculars can help you see Mercury and also notice “earthshine” on the Moon. Earthshine is a faint glow on the Moon’s darker part, caused when sunlight bounces off Earth—off oceans and clouds—and then reflects onto the Moon.
Because Mercury appears close to the Sun, it’s important to be careful: only use binoculars with a grown-up, and never point them anywhere near the Sun. Careful observing helps you enjoy the sky safely.
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so it stays near the Sun’s bright glow in our sky. That makes Mercury tricky to spot, like trying to notice something small near a very bright light.
Binoculars can help you see Mercury and also notice “earthshine” on the Moon. Earthshine is a faint glow on the Moon’s darker part, caused when sunlight bounces off Earth—off oceans and clouds—and then reflects onto the Moon.
Because Mercury appears close to the Sun, it’s important to be careful: only use binoculars with a grown-up, and never point them anywhere near the Sun. Careful observing helps you enjoy the sky safely.