The Northern Hemisphere's summer brings exceptional skywatching opportunities, beginning with the full 'Strawberry Moon' on June 29, a micromoon. From June through September, the Milky Way's core will be visible in dark skies during new moon weeks. July 29 features the full 'Buck Moon'. A rare total solar eclipse on August 12 will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, marking Europe's first since 1999. Immediately following, the Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12-13, offering numerous meteors under dark conditions. Around August 15, Venus shines brightly as the 'Evening Star' in the western sky. The season concludes dramatically with a near-total partial lunar eclipse, the 'Sturgeon Moon Eclipse', on August 27-28, where over 96% of the moon will be shadowed, potentially showing a reddish hue.

With the arrival of the summer solstice this weekend, the Northern Hemisphere’s summer is here. It brings some of the year’s finest skywatching, from bright full moons to meteor showers, planetary displays and a rare solar eclipse. With longer evenings, warmer nights and the Milky Way rising into view, the next three months will bring plenty of reasons to look up. Here are the highlights:

The summer season begins with the full Strawberry Moon on Monday, June 29, reaching 100% illumination at 7:58 p.m. EDT, about the same time it rises on the West Coast of North America. From the East Coast, the magical moment will come about 8:50 p.m. EDT. This full moon is also a micromoon, meaning it appears slightly smaller because it is near its farthest point from Earth.

June, July, August and September offer some of the best Northern Hemisphere views of the Milky Way. During new moon weeks (the week between the last quarter moon and new moon), the galaxy’s bright core climbs into the southeastern sky. For the clearest view, find a dark-sky location away from streetlights.

The full Buck Moon arrives on Wednesday, July 29. Named for the season when young deer grow new antlers, it will provide a bright summer spectacle, especially as it rises above the horizon after sunset.

The standout event of the season is the total solar eclipse on August 12, visible from eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain. It will be mainland Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999, with partial views across parts of Europe, Africa and North America.

Overnight on Ayg. 12-13 — just after the solar eclipse — the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak under dark-sky conditions. With the moon out of the way, observers could see dozens of meteors an hour, especially after midnight and before dawn.

Around August 15, Venus peaks as a striking “Evening Star”, shining brightly after sunset. The planet will sit far from the sun in the sky, making it easy to spot low in the west as twilight fades. Put any small telescope on it and you’ll see that is’ now 50%-lit as it gets closer to Earth.

The season closes with a dramatic partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28, coinciding with the full Sturgeon Moon. More than 96% of the lunar surface oon will pass into Earth’s shadow, creating a near-total eclipse with a possible reddish tint.