Experience the October sky event on Oct 9. when Moon visits the Seven Sisters

Moon Aligns with the Seven Sisters on October 9. (Image: Starry Night/Chris Vaughan)

On the evening of 9 October 2025, the Moon will appear to drift past the Pleiades (or Seven Sisters) in the constellation Taurus. The encounter will happen when the waning gibbous Moon, shining at an approximately 86% illumination, appears to cross through this lovely star cluster.

What is Pleiades?

The Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, is a bright star cluster. It lies in the constellation Taurus, about 440 light-years away. Only six or seven stars are visible to the naked eye. The stars are young, hot and surrounded by bluish reflection nebula. It appears in myths and calendars across many ancient cultures.

When and Where to See It?

The event will start shortly after moonrise, as the visibility will depend on local events. The view will be best from Europe, Asia and northern North America, if the light is under the observer's control.

In darker skies, stargazers may notice one or more of the cluster’s stars briefly disappear behind the Moon’s bright edge, then reappear moments later from the Moon’s darker edge, which is an astronomical occurrence known as “occultation”.

A Continuing Celestial Series

This meeting forms part of an ongoing lunar known as Pleiades occultation cycle that began in 2023. This cycle will continue until 2029, before the Moon’s orbit shifts away until the next series in 2042.

Each encounter helps astronomers refine measurements of the Moon’s orbit and provides a vivid reminder of the dynamic precision of our Solar System.

How to view this event?

In order to see this sky event, find a location with a clear view of the eastern horizon and away from the lights of town. Binoculars should be fine to casually view the event while small telescopes should show you exactly the moments when the stars blink out and come back.