February 24, 2025: Planet Uranus is near the Pleiades star cluster, part of Taurus. Use a binocular.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:33 a.m. CST; Sunset, 5:35 p.m. CST. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program.
Planet Uranus
Planet Uranus is easily visible during the next several evenings before a bright waxing crescent moon washes light across the night sky.
Evening twilight ends over 90 minutes after sundown at the mid-northern latitudes. About 30 minutes later, step outside to find bright Jupiter, high in the southwestern sky. The Jovian Giant is in front of Taurus, 5.4° to Aldebaran’s upper right, the Bull’s brightest star. It treks eastward toward the horns, Elnath and Zeta Tauri.
Near Pleiades
Resembling a miniature dipper, the Pleiades star cluster is over 10° to Jupiter’s lower right. In celestial artwork, it rides on the Bull’s back. Use a binocular to see the stellar bundle.
Use a Binocular
Planet Uranus is 8.0° to the Pleiades’ lower right. In locations away from outdoor lighting, the planet is visible without optical aid, though it is visible through a binocular from suburban backyards.
While looking at the Pleiades, move the cluster toward the top of the field of view. Stars 13 Tauri (13 Tau on the chart) and 14 Tauri (14 Tau) are to the star cluster’s lower left. Move the binocular down slightly so that stars Tau Arietis (τ Ari), 63 Arietis (63 Ari) and 64 Arietis (64 Ari) are visible toward the lower right edge of the field.
Aquamarine Uranus appears as a star toward the bottom of the field of view. It is about the same brightness as the stars referenced on the chart.
Uranus is fairly easy to locate through the binocular. It may take an attempt each clear evening. Marvel at the view of the Pleiades. Then look for a distant world.
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