
Stargazers in the US are in for a special treat before dawn on Sunday, June 22. A rare cosmic triangle will appear in the eastern sky featuring the Moon, Venus, and the famous Pleiades star cluster, all visible to the naked eye, making it a perfect moment for casual observers and night sky photographers alike.
According to astronomy experts, Venus will shine brightly just to the lower right of the waning crescent Moon. At the same time, the Pleiades cluster will appear to the lower left, about a fist’s width away at arm’s length.
When to watch celestial event?
All three will be visible above the horizon around 3:15am ET, but stargazers will have just over an hour to enjoy the view before sunrise takes over.
The Moon will appear in its crescent phase, lighting up its craters and plains beautifully. Venus — often called Earth’s twin due to its similar size — will show a partial phase too, visible through a small telescope.
Moreover, the Pleiades, also known as Messier 45, is a group of over 1,000 stars located 445 light-years away in the Taurus constellation.
How to watch this celestial event?
This celestial event is a great opportunity for those wanting to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. For those planning to take photos, using a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a zoom lens will help capture the cosmic triangle. Just remember: never point binoculars or telescopes near the rising sun.