June 15, 2021: The Pleiades star cluster returns to the morning sky. You may have observed the star cluster in the east-northeast during morning twilight.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
The Pleiades star cluster is low in the eastern sky before sunrise. You may have last noted the cluster in the western sky after sunset about two months ago.
As Earth revolved around the sun, the cluster disappeared behind into bright twilight. On May 20, the cluster was in conjunction with the sun. This means that it had the same celestial longitude as the sun.
Now the star cluster is beginning to appear in the morning sky. This morning it is about 7° above the east-northeast horizon at one hour before sunrise.
The assist of a binocular is needed to initially find the cluster. Begin looking about one hour before sunrise. Each morning the cluster is higher in the sky at the same time interval before sunrise. What is the first morning you can find it with the aid of additional optics.
2021, June 15: With a binocular look for the Pleiades star cluster in the east-northeast about one hour before sunrise.
Articles and Summaries
- Venus as an Evening Star
- Venus Evening Star (Summary)
- Mars during 2021 (Summary)
- Planets during June 2021
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2023, December 26: Cold Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn
December 26, 2023: The Cold Moon is visible during the nighttime hours. Venus shines before sunrise while Jupiter and Saturn are visible after sundown. - 2023, December 25: Telescope First Light, Bright Planets
December 25, 2023: For sky watchers with new telescopes, here’s what to look at before dawn or after sunset. - 2023, December 24: Morning Moon, Pleiades, Antares Heliacal Rising
December 24, 2023: The moon appears near the Pleiades star cluster during the earlier morning hours. Antares is at its first morning appearance, known as the heliacal rising. - 2023, December 23: Check out Planet Uranus, Pleiades near Moon
December 23, 2023: Look for the planet Uranus and the Pleiades star cluster through a binocular during nighttime hours. - 2023, December 22: Mercury at Inferior Conjunction, Bright Jupiter, Gibbous Moon
December 22, 2023: Mercury is between Earth and Sun, known as inferior conjunction. Jupiter and the gibbous moon are celestial companions during nighttime hours.
