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
2021 – 2022, Venus – Mars Triple Conjunction
During 2021 into 2022, Venus passes Mars three times for a triple conjunction. The first occurs on July 12, 2021. The others occur during early 2022, followed by a close approach of the two planets.
2021, July 6: Venus – Saturn Opposition
July 6, 2021: This is the second bright planet – planet opposition this month. Venus and Saturn are in opposite directions from Earth. Venus sets about the time that Saturn rises. After this date, Venus and Saturn together are in the evening sky until early 2022.
2021, June 19: Evening Sky, Moon, Spica
June 19, 2021: The waxing moon appears with Spica in the southwestern sky during the early evening hours.
2021, June 26 – June 30: Bright Moon, Morning Planets
June 26 – June 30, 2021: The bright gibbous moon passes Jupiter and Saturn in the morning sky before sunrise. Observe that the moon is in a different spot each morning, farther east toward the impending sunrise.
2021, June 15: Moon, Sickle of Leo
June 15, 2021: The moon is with the Sickle of Leo this evening. Step outside about an hour after sunset to find the crescent moon that is about 30% illuminated over one-third of the way up in the west.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
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