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.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, September 4: Moon With Taurus, Bright Morning Planets, Venus Near Spica, and Uranus Before Sunrise
September 4, 2026: The Last Quarter Moon appears with Taurus near Aldebaran and Elnath before sunrise. Venus remains near Spica after sunset, while Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are visible. - 2026, September 3: Moon Near the Pleiades Before Sunrise, Venus Steps Away From Spica
September 3, 2026: The moon appears near the Pleiades before sunrise while Venus remains close to Spica after sunset. Saturn shines nearly all night, and Jupiter and Mars continue their morning display. - 2026, September 1-4: Waning Moon Passes Aries, Pleiades, and Taurus Before Sunrise
September 1-4, 2026: Follow the waning moon through Aries and Taurus before sunrise. Watch it pass Hamal, appear near the Pleiades, and move between Aldebaran and Elnath. - 2026, September 1: Venus and Spica Conjunction Tonight
September 1, 2026: A Venus-Spica conjunction occurs tonight in the west-southwest sky. See brilliant Venus and Virgo’s brightest star low above the horizon after sunset with a binocular. - 2026, August 31: Venus Nears Spica
August 31, 2026: Venus nears Spica in the evening sky as August ends. Find Venus low in the west-southwest, while Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and the Moon appear before sunrise.