Key Takeaways:
- Uranus is currently observable in the constellation Taurus, approximately 4.5° south-southeast of the Pleiades star cluster.
- Binocular observation of Uranus is facilitated by its proximity to 14 Tauri, a 6th-magnitude star, located approximately 3° west of the planet.
- At a distance of 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) from Earth, Uranus exhibits an apparent size of 4 arcseconds and a discernible grayish hue distinguishable from nearby stars.
- Optimal viewing is suggested around 4 AM local daylight time (40° N 90° W), when the region of Taurus is approximately 60° high in the eastern sky.
Rising before midnight and visible all morning long until dawn, the distant planet Uranus now resides within the domain of Taurus the Bull. Its current location makes it easier than usual to find, just 4.5° south-southeast of the Pleiades (M45). By 4 A.M. local daylight time, the region is some 60° high in the east, above the easy-to-find three-star belt of Orion.
At that time, you’ll find Uranus to the lower right of the Pleiades. With binoculars, scan 4.5° due south of Alcyone (Eta [η] Tauri) to land on a pair of 6th-magnitude stars in an east-west line. The easternmost star is 14 Tauri, and Uranus is just under 3° east of this star.
The ice giant is currently 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) from Earth and spans 4” on the sky — small but decidedly nonstellar through a telescope. You may notice it appears “flatter” than the pinprick stars nearby, and also shows off a grayish hue.
Sunrise: 6:32 A.M.
Sunset: 7:25 P.M.
Moonrise: 6:34 P.M.
Moonset: 3:52 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (95%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.
For a look ahead at more upcoming sky events, check out our full Sky This Week column.
