This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Moon passes the Pleiades

Watch our lone natural satellite pair up with a bright star cluster.
By | Published: December 1, 2025

On the evening of December 3, the Moon will pass close to the Pleiades star cluster, a bright open cluster in the constellation Taurus the Bull.
Credit: M. Bakich/TheSKY software
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Dave Eicher, Editor Emeritus of *Astronomy* magazine, advises observers to watch for the Moon passing near the Pleiades star cluster on the evening of December 3.
  • The Pleiades, also known as M45 and the Seven Sisters, is characterized as a notably bright deep-sky object.
  • Its inherent luminosity ensures good visibility even with the proximity of the Moon.
  • Employing binoculars is recommended to enhance the observational experience.
Key takeaways sponsored by The Space Store

In this episode, 
Astronomy
 magazine Editor Emeritus Dave Eicher invites you to head out on the evening of December 3 to watch the Moon pass by the Pleiades star cluster. Also known as M45 and the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades is one of the brightest deep-sky objects. So, even with the Moon nearby, it will stand out pretty well. Binoculars will enhance your view. Good luck!

View it below or on YouTube here.

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