Get ready for a celestial spectacle! On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Moon will once again block out the beautiful Pleiades, creating a fascinating sky event.
But here's where it gets controversial... the Moon's path through the constellation Taurus will cause it to occult, or hide, several bright stars within the Pleiades cluster. This rare occurrence will be visible from various parts of the world, including North America, Greenland, and Europe.
The Moon, almost full, will pass through Taurus on the night of December 3rd, creating an occultation of the Pleiades. Uranus, too, will be in the vicinity, but you'll need some optical assistance to spot it.
On December 2nd, at 10 PM EST, the Moon will be positioned 5° north of Uranus within Taurus. Simultaneously, a lunar occultation of the Pleiades (M45) will occur, with specific stars like magnitude 3.7 Electra (17 Tauri), magnitude 4.3 Taygeta (19 Tau), and magnitude 3.9 Maia (20 Tau) disappearing behind the Moon's edge.
The entire event will take place between 7 PM and 9:30 PM CST, offering a unique opportunity for skywatchers across the U.S. and beyond. By the time night falls, the Pleiades and the Moon will be visible close together in the eastern sky.
Electra, the first bright star in the cluster, will vanish behind the Moon's dark leading edge just after 7 PM CST. Other stars will follow suit, and to witness this phenomenon, you'll need binoculars or a telescope.
For those interested in the exact timing of the occultation from their specific location, the International Occultation Timing Association's website provides detailed information.
Uranus, which has just passed opposition, will be approximately 4.5° south of the Pleiades. It's located near a pair of 6th-magnitude stars, 13 and 14 Tau, just 0.4° east of the latter. Spotting Uranus might be a challenge due to the bright Moon, but with the right equipment, it's possible.
So, are you ready to witness this celestial dance? Keep an eye on the sky and don't miss this unique opportunity!
And this is the part most people miss... the Moon's illumination and its impact on observing these celestial bodies. The Moon's phase and position can greatly affect our view of the night sky. On this particular night, the Moon will be a waxing gibbous, 99% illuminated, which can make it challenging to observe fainter objects like Uranus.
So, will you be able to spot Uranus amidst the bright Moon's glare? Let us know in the comments!
Sunrise: 7:05 AM
Sunset: 4:35 PM
Moonrise: 3:13 PM
Moonset: 5:36 AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous (99%)
*Times are given in local time from 40° N 90° W.
