October 26-28, 2026: Follow the bright gibbous moon as it approaches and occults stars in the Pleiades. Find nightly positions and viewing tips.
By Jeffrey L. Hunt
October Waning Moon
After the Full Hunter’s Moon phase on October 25, the bright gibbous moon approaches, occults, and passes the Pleiades star cluster. The bright moon interferes with seeing the dimmer stars.
Looking at a bright moon through a binocular or telescope can leave an afterimage in vision, like the spots seen after a camera flash. A binocular assists in locating the star cluster before and after the occultation events.
Highlights
Here’s what to see two hours after sunset:
- October 26: The moon, 99% illuminated, is over 20° above the east horizon, 9.7° to Hamal’s lower left, Aries’ brightest star, and 15° to the Pleiades’ lower left.
- October 27: The moon, 95% illuminated, covers stars in the cluster.
- October 28: The waning gibbous moon, 88% illuminated, is less than 5° above the east-northeast horizon, 15° to the Pleiades. Look again about two hours later, when the moon is higher in the sky. It is 6.5° to Elnath’s upper left, Taurus’ northern horn, and 11.5° to Aldebaran’s upper left, the Bull’s brightest star.
Watch the moon move eastward each night, covering stars in the star cluster.
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