Can You See the Pleiades Tonight? Learn How to See the M45 Star Cluster
The Pleiades is a prominent, easy-to-spot deep-sky object. This hazy “little dipper” is so bright you can see it with the naked eye! To quickly find the Pleiades in the sky in your location, use the free Sky Tonight app. Now, let’s learn more about this fascinating star cluster.
Contents
- Where is the Pleiades star cluster located?
- Pleiades tonight: see them next to the Moon
- November 6: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- December 4: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- December 31: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- January 27, 2026: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- February 24, 2026: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- How to photograph the Pleiades tonight?
- The life cycle of the Pleiades
- How many stars in the Pleiades cluster?
- Pleiades star cluster in myths and legends
- 4 things you probably didn’t know about the Pleiades
- F.A.Q.
- Pleiades star cluster: to sum up
Where is the Pleiades star cluster located?
The Pleiades can be found in the constellation Taurus. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are best seen from late autumn through winter (roughly October to February). In the Southern Hemisphere, the cluster is well placed from about November to March.
How to find the Pleiades in the night sky?
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Look for Orion’s Belt — the three bright stars in a straight line.
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Draw an imaginary line through them toward Orion’s bow.
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You’ll first meet Aldebaran in Taurus, then a small, blue-white cluster — that’s the Pleiades. They appear about four times the diameter of the Full Moon across the sky and resemble a tiny version of the Big Dipper.
Where are the Pleiades tonight?
Since the Pleiades sit in the northern half of the sky (about 24° N in declination) and near the ecliptic, they’re visible from essentially all inhabited latitudes; they fail to rise only south of ~66°S. To check the position of the star cluster, use the stargazing app Sky Tonight: launch the app, and tap the magnifier icon at the lower part of the screen. Then type “Pleiades” in the search bar and tap on the target icon opposite the corresponding search result. The app will show the cluster’s current position in the sky, so you can see if it is visible now in your location.
Pleiades tonight: see them next to the Moon
The Pleiades form a tiny swarm of blue stars, their faint light scattered across a region four times wider than the Moon. Occasionally, the Moon drifts past the Pleiades and even glides right across the cluster, hiding its stars one by one — a fascinating event called a lunar occultation. You can use Sky Tonight to see whether the Moon and the Pleiades are visible in your sky during these encounters. And if the occultation isn’t observable from your area, switch your location in the app and zoom in on the Moon to watch how the event unfolds from other parts of the world.
November 6: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- Close approach time: 15:26 GMT
- Close approach distance: 0°48'
- Occultation start: 12:27 GMT
- Occultation end: 17:48 GMT
On November 6, the nearly full Moon (99% illuminated) will pass right next to the beautiful Pleiades star cluster. For observers along a wide path stretching from eastern Asia across the Pacific and into parts of North America, the event will be even more dramatic: they’ll see a lunar occultation of the Pleiades.
During the occultation, the Moon will slide directly in front of the cluster, causing its stars to vanish and reappear one by one along the lunar limb. In Busan, South Korea, the Moon will cover Taygeta and Sterope, while in Shanghai and Beijing, China, observers will see Maya, Taygeta, Celaeno, and Sterope all disappear behind the Moon.
The pair will be well placed in the evening and climb high by midnight. However, because the Moon is just past full phase, its bright glare will overwhelm much of the delicate glow of the cluster.
December 4: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- Close approach time: 02:54 GMT
- Close approach distance: 0°48'
- Occultation start: December 3, 23:55 GMT
- Occultation end: December 4, 05:18 GMT
On December 4, the 98%-illuminated Moon will pass close to the Pleiades star cluster. Observers located across northern Africa, most of Europe, and North America will witness an even more dramatic event: a lunar occultation of the Pleiades.
From these regions, the Moon will appear to drift directly in front of the Pleiades, hiding and then gradually revealing its stars. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Moon will pass through the heart of the cluster, potentially covering some of its brightest jewels – Electra, Merope, Maya, and Alcyone. From Chicago, the Moon will skim the cluster’s edge, occulting Electra, Celaeno, Maya, and Taygeta.
The pair will rise in the late evening and reach the highest point about an hour after midnight. Because the Moon is just past full, its bright light will significantly wash out the delicate stars of the Pleiades.
December 31: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- Close approach time: 13:21 GMT
- Close approach distance: 0°48'
- Occultation start: 10:20 GMT
- Occultation end: 15:40 GMT
On the last day of the year, the 88%-illuminated Moon will glide past the Pleiades star cluster. For observers across eastern Asia, Japan, and much of Russia, this will not only be a close approach but also a lunar occultation of the Pleiades. From these regions, the Moon will appear to cover and then uncover the cluster, with stars winking out one by one behind the bright lunar limb.
In New Delhi, India, the stars Celaeno, Maia, Taygeta, and Sterope will slip behind the Moon during the daytime and later reappear. Farther north, across parts of Siberia, the occultation will be even deeper: nearly half of the cluster — including Electra, Celaeno, Maia, Taygeta, and Sterope — will vanish behind the Moon before gradually returning to view.
The pair will rise before sunset and reach the highest point by late evening, making them well-placed for observation. The bright glare of the Moon can overwhelm much of the cluster's glow. Binoculars will help pull the stars of the Pleiades back into view.
January 27, 2026: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- Close approach time: 21:07 GMT
- Close approach distance: 1°06'
- Occultation start: 17:59 GMT
- Occultation end: 23:33 GMT
On January 27, the 65%-illuminated Moon will pass close to the Pleiades star cluster. For observers across Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of western Asia, this will be a lunar occultation of the Pleiades. From these regions, the Moon will appear to slide directly in front of the cluster.
In Paris, the Moon will skim the cluster’s edge, covering only its two bright stars — Taygeta and Sterope. Farther north, in Reykjavik, the event will be more dramatic, with Taygeta, Celaeno, Maia, and Sterope disappearing behind the Moon before gradually reappearing.
Both objects will rise during the afternoon daylight and become visible after sunset, reaching their highest point by early evening. Even though the Moon’s light might outshine much of the Pleiades, binoculars will reveal more stars of the cluster, and a small telescope will let you follow the stars as they vanish and reappear along the Moon’s edge.
February 24, 2026: Pleiades near the Moon; lunar occultation of the Pleiades
- Close approach time: 02:43 GMT
- Close approach distance: 1°12'
- Occultation start: February 23, 23:37 GMT
- Occultation end: February 24, 05:14 GMT
On February 24, the 38%-illuminated Moon will meet the Pleiades in the sky, gliding close to the star cluster. For observers across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, this event will feature a lunar occultation of the Pleiades, where the Moon will appear to cover and then uncover the stars in the cluster.
In the northern parts of North America, the occultation will be deepest, with the Moon hiding nearly half of the cluster, including the stars Maya and Taygeta. Farther south, the Moon will pass at a greater distance from the Pleiades. In Edmonton, Canada, for example, only Sterope will be covered.
Both objects will be well placed in the evening sky, reaching their highest points between late evening and midnight. Because the Moon will be only a crescent, its glare will be less overwhelming, offering a good opportunity to view the occultation clearly. Binoculars will enhance the view of the cluster, while a small telescope will allow you to follow individual stars as they disappear behind the Moon.
How to photograph the Pleiades tonight?
The Pleiades are one of the most rewarding deep-sky targets for beginner astrophotographers. Their bright blue stars and surrounding reflection nebulae look stunning in long-exposure images, even with basic equipment.
Use the right gear
A DSLR or mirrorless camera on a solid tripod is all you need to start. Use a 50–85 mm lens to capture the whole cluster, or 100–200 mm if you want to zoom in on its bright center. If you have a star tracker, it’ll help you take longer shots without the stars turning into streaks. A remote shutter or self-timer will keep the camera steady, and a dew heater helps if the lens fogs up.
Find a dark sky
The delicate blue glow around the Pleiades is easily washed out by light pollution. Choose a location far from city lights and shoot when the Moon is below the horizon or during its crescent phase.
Exposure settings
Start with ISO 800–1600, f/2.8–f/4, and take short exposures (around 5–10 seconds) if you don’t have a tracker. With a tracker, you can go up to 30–120 seconds.
Take lots of shots and later stack them on a computer. This reduces noise and brings out more detail. Always shoot in RAW, and if possible, take a few dark and flat frames to help clean up your final image.
Focus carefully
Pick a bright star, like Alcyone (brightest star in the Pleiades), zoom in using a live view, and focus until the star looks as small and sharp as possible. Then switch off autofocus and don’t touch the focus ring; you can even tape it in place.
Check focus from time to time, especially if the temperature changes, because as the night gets colder, the lens and camera parts slightly contract, and the focus may shift, making stars look blurry.
Plan your shot
You can use Sky Tonight to see when the Pleiades are highest in your sky and to plan the framing with the Moon or nearby constellations.
The life cycle of the Pleiades
The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, are an open cluster — a family of stars born from the same colossal cloud of gas and dust.
How were the Pleiades born?
Their story began when a vast cloud of gas and dust collapsed under its own gravity, heating up until nuclear fusion ignited and gave birth to hundreds of young, brilliant stars, most of them hot B-type stars. These stars illuminate nearby reflection nebulae — clouds of dust that scatter their light and produce the cluster’s ethereal blue glow.
For a long time, astronomers believed this dust was the remnant of the cluster’s formation. Today, it’s thought that the Pleiades are simply passing through an unrelated cloud of interstellar dust. The cloud is a reflection nebula: dust scatters blue light from the cluster’s hot stars, rather than emitting its own light.
How old are the Pleiades?
In the grand timeline of the Universe, the Pleiades are relatively young, estimated to be about 100-125 million years old. To put this in perspective, dinosaurs appeared on the Earth long before the Pleiades lit up our skies.
How long will the Pleiades last?
The Pleiades are not destined to last forever. Astronomers estimate that the cluster will survive for about 200-400 million years, after which it will be lost to gravitational interactions with the galactic neighborhood.
The Pleiades are at the early stage of the stellar life cycle. Their stars are still in the main sequence phase – steadily fusing hydrogen into helium and shining with intense blue light. In hundreds of millions of years, they’ll evolve into red giants and eventually fade into white dwarfs, leaving only a trace of their former brilliance. To explore this journey in more detail, see our stellar life cycle infographic.
How many stars in the Pleiades cluster?
In total, the cluster contains about 1,000 members. Its brightest stars are named after the Greek myth’s characters: the Pleiades themselves – Alcyone, Electra, Maia, Merope, Taygeta, Celaeno, and Asterope (Sterope) – and their parents, Atlas and Pleione. Find them sorted by magnitude in the list below:
- Alcyone (25 Tauri): 2.87
- Atlas (27 Tauri): 3.63 (variable by ~0.05 m)
- Electra (17 Tauri): 3.70 (variable by ~0.06 m)
- Maia (20 Tauri): 3.87 (variable by ~0.02 m)
- Merope (23 Tauri): 4.14 (variable by ~0.04 m)
- Taygeta (19 Tauri): 4.30 (variable by ~0.03 m)
- Pleione (28 Tauri): 5.05 (variable by ~0.3 m)
- Celaeno (16 Tauri): 5.45
- Sterope I (Asterope, 21 Tauri): 5.76 (variable by ~0.05 m)
- Sterope II (22 Tauri): 6.43
How many stars are visible in the Pleiades?
Naked-eyed observers usually spot six stars at a glimpse. However, the longer you look, the more stars you see, given an acute vision and clear skies without light pollution. An American astronomer Robert Burnham Jr. claimed to see 20; most people see no more than 14. Binoculars can give a better view of the cluster and the nebulosity surrounding it. All the brightest stars can be found within roughly a 1.5-2° core (the full cluster spans a larger area on the sky); telescopes with high magnification will help see the fainter ones.
What star is missing?
If most people see the cluster as a six-star pattern, why is it called the Seven Sisters? The reason is that the sky looked different in ancient times when the name was made up. Back then, naked-eyed observers could instantly see seven stars in the cluster. Over time, one of them disappeared from view. Our ancestors noticed and reflected it in myths, which we will discuss later.
The change was probably caused by Pleione, the seventh-brightest star of the cluster. It is a shell star that varies in brightness; it used to be more prominent but faded below naked-eye visibility. One more explanation is that over time, their proper motions brought Pleione and Atlas close enough to each other in the sky that they can appear as a single point to the naked eye.
Pleiades star cluster in myths and legends
Many cultures have similar stories about the origin of the Pleiades star cluster, possibly inspired by the star's disappearance. Some scientists believe they were made up 100,000 years ago! When the seventh star vanished, ancient people tried to explain that through myths.
Seven Sisters star cluster could be the Seven Brothers
For example, the Australian legend tells about the seven sisters who fled into the sky from the old man chasing them; one of the women was captured and saved later. Native Americans had various myths about the seven brothers who rose to the sky while running or dancing in a circle. According to the Cherokee version, one of the boys was caught by his mother and failed to make it to the sky.
The Pleiades and Orion: the Greek myth
The Greek myth is the most popular version of the story. According to it, the Pleiades were daughters of the titan Atlas and the nymph Pleione. After a chance encounter with the sisters, the hunter Orion fell in love and started chasing them. Zeus decided to protect the girls from the unwanted attention and turned the sisters into doves, so they could fly up and become the stars. Before ascending to the sky, one of the sisters, Merope, was married to a mortal, King Sisyphus. When the gods condemned him to roll a boulder forever, she was so ashamed of him that she hid her face and disappeared from the night sky.
Interestingly, in the myth, it is Merope that is referred to as “the lost Pleiad”. But modern astronomers often point to Pleione (close to Atlas and known for its variable brightness) as a more likely "lost" star that inspired the myth.
4 things you probably didn’t know about the Pleiades
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The Pleiades were mentioned in the Bible three times – all three times along with the constellation Orion.
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In ancient times, many cultures used the Pleiades as a calendar. By its appearance in the sky, the farmers knew when to start harvesting or planting crops, and the sailors understood when it was time to open the navigation season (the name “Pleiades” was possibly derived from the Greek word meaning “to sail”).
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The cloud of interstellar dust surrounding the Pleiades is not a part of the cluster. It was believed to be the remnants of the material from which the stars were born. But it turned out that the nebulosity is independent and just happens to be near the Pleiades.
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The Pleiades inspired the name and the six-star logo of the Japanese car-manufacturing company Subaru (the Japanese name for the cluster). You might have thought the creators wanted to be astronomically accurate and made it look like the Pleiades on the actual night sky. But in fact, the logo illustrates the company's history. In Japanese, “subaru” also means “united”, and the stars represent five small companies that merged into one big – Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru’s parent company.
F.A.Q.
Who found the Pleiades?
Galileo Galilei was the first to observe the Pleiades through a telescope. However, the star cluster was known long before that: its “origin story” may date back to 100,000 BC. The name of the first person to see the Pleiades in the sky has not been preserved in history.
How old are the Pleiades?
The answer depends on the age-measuring method. For example, if we compare the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for the Pleiades and theoretical models of stellar evolution, we get figures from 75 to 150 million years.
Are the Pleiades a constellation?
No, the Pleiades are a star cluster – a group of stars that are gravitationally bound and formed from the same molecular cloud. In contrast, a constellation is also a group of stars, but they are not physically bound to one another. There are 88 constellations officially recognized by the IAU. Read our dedicated article to learn more about constellations and their particular features.
When are the Pleiades visible?
In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s best placed from approximately October to February. In the Southern Hemisphere, look from about November to March.
Can you see the Pleiades with the naked eye?
The Pleiades are in the top 3 best naked-eye star clusters. Most people see it as a group of six stars, but if you have good eyesight and it's dark enough outside, you can spot up to 14 stars.
Can you see other open clusters near the Pleiades?
Yes! The Pleiades are not the only open cluster in this part of the sky. Just a short distance to the east, within the same constellation of Taurus, you’ll find the Hyades, a nearby open cluster that forms a bright “V” shape marking the bull’s face. Farther along the ecliptic, in the constellation Cancer, lies the Beehive Cluster (M44) — another beautiful open cluster visible to the naked eye under dark skies.
To explore even more easy-to-see star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, check our infographic on the brightest deep-sky objects. It shows how to find them in the sky and gives tips on observing them.
Pleiades star cluster: to sum up
Quick Facts:
- Constellation: Taurus
- Distance from Earth: ~440 light-years
- Angular size ~2° across (four times the Moon’s diameter)
- Number of visible stars: 6–14 (over 1,000 in total)
- Best viewing months: ~October–March
- Also known as: Seven Sisters, Subaru
The Pleiades are an open star cluster and one of the brightest deep-sky objects. Under dark skies, they are visible to the naked eye: most observers can spot six stars resembling a smaller version of the Big Dipper. With the aid of optics, more stars become visible, along with a nebulosity that appears to envelop the star cluster. The Pleiades are a great target for amateur deep-sky observers as they’re bright and easy to see. The Sky Tonight app simplifies locating the Pleiades: with just a few taps, you can find it in the night sky.
We wish you clear skies and happy observations!
