UNITED STATES: Skywatchers were in for a treat as the moon had a captivating rendezvous with the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, in the early morning of Friday, July 14.
This celestial encounter was witnessed by observers on Earth, with Jupiter and the brilliant star Aldebaran in Taurus adding their presence to the spectacle.
In New York City, Jupiter and the Pleiades rose around 1:30 a.m. ET on July 14, followed by the moon’s rise just after 2:30 a.m. EDT.
The moon, currently in its waning crescent phase, approached the Pleiades as it darkened, leading up to the new moon on July 17. The moon was approximately one hand’s width below and to the left of the Seven Sisters, with Jupiter shining above and to the right.
While not visible to the naked eye, Uranus was located between the Pleiades and Jupiter using optical instruments.
Although the wide arrangement may not fit within the field of view of binoculars, a magnificent celestial scene treats the unaided eye.
The Pleiades, named after the daughters of the Titan god Atlas and the ocean nymph Pleione in Greek mythology, form an open star cluster.
All the stars in this cluster originated from the same gas and dust cloud, creating a true family of stars that continues to journey together through space. Close to the moon’s meeting with the Pleiades lies the renowned star Aldebaran, also known as the “Eye of the Bull.”
Located in the Taurus constellation, this red giant star is around 65 light-years from Earth and is approximately 44 times wider than the sun. Its Arabic name, “Aldebaran,” meaning “the follower,” reflects its position in relation to the Pleiades as it follows them over the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere.
This celestial spectacle was a captivating sight for stargazers, offering a unique opportunity to witness the moon’s embrace of the Seven Sisters alongside the watchful presence of Jupiter and Aldebaran.
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