What’s in the Sky - June 2026 (Victoria, B.C.)

June marks the beginning of summer observing season across southern British Columbia. Although the nights grow short approaching the summer solstice, warmer temperatures and the gradual return of the Milky Way make this one of the most atmospheric times of year to spend under the stars.

For observers in Victoria, twilight becomes a defining feature of the month. Even long after sunset, a soft glow often remains along the northern horizon, especially near June 20 when the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky. True astronomical darkness only lasts a few hours, meaning deep-sky observers will need to stay out late to experience the best conditions.

Despite the brightening nights, several familiar planets remain visible during the evening hours.

Jupiter continues shining in the western sky after sunset during the early part of the month, though it sinks lower each evening as June progresses. Through a telescope, observers can still make out its cloud belts and Galilean moons before it disappears into the twilight glow later in the month.

Venus remains impossible to miss in the evening sky.
Hanging low in the west after sunset, it blazes through the fading twilight and becomes one of the first celestial objects visible each evening. Its brightness makes it an ideal target for casual observers, photographers, and anyone simply taking a moment to look west as the Sun goes down.

By late evening, the character of the sky begins to shift toward summer. The bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair climb steadily higher through the night, forming the well-known Summer Triangle.
This large asterism acts as a guidepost toward the Milky Way, which slowly becomes more prominent in the southeastern sky as the month progresses. For observers willing to stay up past midnight, June offers the first strong views of the dense star fields that will dominate the summer months ahead.

Some of the richest regions of the Milky Way also begin rising before dawn.
The constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius remain low from Victoria’s latitude, but they still reveal bright nebulae and crowded star fields in the direction of the galactic centre. Objects like the Lagoon Nebula and Trifid Nebula become increasingly rewarding targets under dark skies later in the month.

June may not provide the long nights of spring, but it replaces them with something different: warm air, late sunsets, and the unmistakable feeling that summer observing season has arrived. As the Milky Way slowly returns to the night sky, June becomes less about chasing individual events and more about simply spending time beneath the stars.

What’s in the Sky - May 2026 (Victoria, B.C.)

May brings longer days and shorter nights to southern Vancouver Island, but it remains a rewarding month for those willing to stay up late or rise early. As spring deepens, the sky shifts firmly into “galaxy season,” while the first clear signs of summer—most notably the return of the Milky Way—begin to emerge in the pre-dawn hours. Although there are fewer headline-grabbing events than in April, May offers excellent conditions for planetary viewing and deep-sky exploration.

A Quiet Month for Meteors

Unlike April, May does not feature a major, reliable meteor shower. While minor showers such as the Eta Aquariids occur in early May, they strongly favor observers in the Southern Hemisphere and tropical latitudes.

From Victoria, the radiant remains low on the horizon, meaning meteor rates will be modest—often only a few meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Observers who do wish to try should look toward the eastern sky in the hour before dawn during the first week of May.

Planetary Viewing

Jupiter Continues to Shine

Jupiter remains a prominent feature of the evening sky in early May, though it begins to drift closer to the western horizon as the month progresses.

Early in the month, it is still well placed for observing after sunset. As May continues, the viewing window gradually shortens, making earlier evening sessions more important.

Through a telescope, Jupiter continues to offer:

• Distinct cloud bands

• The four Galilean moons

• Occasional shadow transits

It remains the most accessible and visually rewarding planet for observers this month.

Venus Dominates the Evening Twilight

Venus stands out brilliantly in the western sky after sunset, firmly established as the “Evening Star.” It is one of the easiest objects to identify, even for first-time observers.

Look for it:

• Low in the western sky

• About 30 to 60 minutes after sunset

Its brightness allows it to shine through twilight, making it an excellent target for casual viewing and photography.

Moonlight and Observing Conditions

Moon phases once again play a crucial role in planning observations.

The darkest skies of the month occur approximately between:

May 8–16

This period provides the best opportunity to observe faint deep-sky objects such as galaxies and globular clusters.

As the month progresses, increasing twilight and shorter nights begin to limit observing time, particularly for deep-sky enthusiasts.

Peak Galaxy Season

May is one of the best months of the year for observing galaxies from mid-northern latitudes. With the constellations of Virgo, Coma Berenices, and Ursa Major high in the sky during the evening, observers have access to a vast number of distant galaxies.

Notable targets include:

• The Virgo Cluster, a dense region containing thousands of galaxies

• The galaxy pair M81 and M82 in Ursa Major

• The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), a classic spiral galaxy visible in modest telescopes

For observers with darker skies and larger instruments, this is an ideal time to explore the large-scale structure of the universe.

The Return of the Milky Way

By mid to late May, the summer Milky Way begins to rise in the early morning hours. While it is not yet visible in the evening, dedicated observers who stay up late—or wake early—can catch its first appearance stretching across the southeastern sky before dawn.

This marks the transition away from galaxy-dominated spring skies toward the rich star fields and nebulae of summer.

Final Thoughts

May may lack a major meteor shower, but it more than compensates with excellent galaxy observing and strong planetary views. It is a month that rewards patience and planning, offering a quieter but deeply satisfying observing experience.

As the nights grow shorter and the air warms, May invites observers to slow down, explore the deep sky, and anticipate the return of the Milky Way in the months ahead.

What’s in the Sky - April 2026 (Victoria, B. C.)

April is a beautiful transition month for skywatchers in southern Vancouver Island. Winter’s brilliant constellations slowly sink into the western twilight while the first stars of summer begin rising later in the evening. With darker skies around mid-month and a reliable meteor shower on the calendar, April offers rewarding observing opportunities for both casual stargazers and dedicated telescope users.

The Lyrid Meteor Shower

The highlight of April is the annual Lyrid meteor shower, active from April 16 to April 25 and peaking during the night of April 21–22.

Under dark skies, observers can expect roughly 10 to 20 meteors per hour, with occasional brighter streaks known as fireballs. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast after midnight for observers at Victoria’s latitude.

For the best experience, head outdoors after midnight, face toward the eastern or northeastern sky, and allow at least 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to the darkness. Even from suburban locations, patient observers should be able to spot several meteors per hour, while darker rural skies can provide a significantly more impressive display.

A Possible Comet Visitor

A potentially interesting comet may become visible in April as it approaches perihelion. Comet brightness is notoriously difficult to predict, but optimistic forecasts suggest it could become observable through binoculars and perhaps even to the naked eye.

The best opportunity to search for the comet will likely occur during the predawn hours between April 13 and April 20, when it will appear low in the eastern sky. Because comet activity can change rapidly, this event represents one of the more exciting and uncertain observing opportunities of the month.

Planetary Viewing

Jupiter in the Evening Sky

Jupiter continues to dominate the evening sky throughout April. Shining brilliantly after sunset, it remains visible for much of the night and is an excellent target for small and medium-sized telescopes.

Observers may be able to see the planet’s cloud belts, the four Galilean moons, and occasional shadow transits when a moon passes between Jupiter and the Sun. For many observers, Jupiter will be the most visually rewarding planetary target of the month.

Venus Returns as the Evening Star

Venus is becoming increasingly prominent after sunset as it transitions into its role as the well-known “Evening Star.” Look for it low in the western sky approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. Its intense brightness allows it to remain visible even through lingering twilight.

A Morning Planet Gathering

Around mid-April, several planets form a loose grouping in the morning sky. From Victoria, however, these objects will remain quite low above the horizon and may be difficult to observe without an unobstructed eastern view and very clear atmospheric conditions.

This makes the event particularly appealing for astrophotographers and experienced observers willing to venture out before sunrise.

Moonlight and Dark-Sky Opportunities

Moon phase strongly influences deep-sky observing conditions. The darkest skies of April occur roughly between April 10 and April 18, providing excellent opportunities to observe faint galaxies, globular clusters, and other deep-sky objects.

Although brighter moonlight near the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower may slightly reduce meteor counts, brighter meteors should still be visible even under partially illuminated skies.

The Start of Galaxy Season

April evenings are often referred to by astronomers as the beginning of “galaxy season.” As darkness falls, observers can explore regions of the sky rich with distant galaxies.

Notable targets include the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, the bright galaxy pair M81 and M82 in Ursa Major, and the globular cluster M3, which rises later in the evening. By late April, the bright summer star Vega rises before midnight, signalling the gradual return of the Milky Way to the night sky.

Final Thoughts

April offers a compelling mix of observing opportunities, from meteor watching under cool spring skies to planetary viewing and the first hints of summer constellations. It is a month of transition, allowing attentive observers to witness the night sky shifting from winter brilliance toward the deep-sky richness of the warmer months ahead.

With a clear horizon, dark skies, and a bit of patience, April can be one of the most rewarding months of the year to simply step outside and look up.