(Viewed 1,300 times)

[Centaur]

On Wednesday evening, January 19, the waxing gibbous Moon will pass near the Pleiades star cluster. Geocentrically, the Moon's center will be 1.3 degrees from Alcyone, the Pleiades brightest star. Beginning next month the Moon will initiate a series of occultations of Alcyone that will last nearly six years. This repeats in a cycle of 18.6 years.

I've created a graphic that depicts the sky an hour after sunset on the 19th as viewed from Chicago where the minimum separation between the Moon and Alcyone will be 1.9 degrees. Although the chart should well serve viewers at most locations. To see it click:

www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Then click the small blue button for "Moon Conjuncts Pleiades".

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt,

Thanks for the notice, and I see you have some new additions to your graphics.

Cool.

Let's see if 1, it's clear and 2, if it's not bitterly cold!

[Centaur]

Joe --

You're welcome. Actually, my main program demonstrating a full sky view with planetary closeups predates the addition of subroutines showing eastern or western skies exclusively. Apparently, it had never appeared on your site before. It becomes necessary whenever the focal point is more than 45 degrees above the horizon.

Meanwhile, don't get too expectant of Mother Nature during January.

-- Curt