{"id":52962,"date":"2023-12-24T08:25:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-24T08:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ff41d5d8-7519-488a-8989-fe7b8b92bdbf"},"modified":"2023-12-24T09:32:33","modified_gmt":"2023-12-24T09:32:33","slug":"see-the-moon-join-jupiter-and-the-pleiades-on-christmas-night","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/see-the-moon-join-jupiter-and-the-pleiades-on-christmas-night\/","title":{"rendered":"See the Moon join Jupiter and the Pleiades on Christmas night"},"content":{"rendered":"

See the Moon, Jupiter and the Pleiades on Christmas Eve and Christmas Night. Once you’ve found them, explore with binoculars and a telescope. <\/p>

By Iain Todd\n <\/p>

Published: Sunday, 24 December 2023 at 08:25 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Are you wondering what that bright star is near to the Moon? Chances are it’s the planet Jupiter!<\/p>

Jupiter is currently looking amazing in the night sky, having reached opposition in November 2023<\/a>.<\/p>

On Christmas Eve and Christmas night, the Moon will be joined by the planet Jupiter, making for a wonderfully festive stargazing sight.<\/p>

Between the Moon and Jupiter will be the Pleiades, a wonderful open star cluster<\/a> that can be seen with the naked eye and which glows a bright blue hue when explored with even a modest pair of binoculars.<\/p>

As the sky darkens on Christmas Eve, look towards the east at around 17:00 UTC and you’ll see Jupiter and the Moon beginning to rise. Can you spot the Pleiades star cluster too? Credit: Stellarium<\/figcaption><\/figure>
On Christmas Eve you’ll be able to see Jupiter and the Moon rising in the east as the sky grows darker, from around 17:00 UTC onwards.<\/p>
Jupiter will be positioned above and to the right of the Moon, and in between the two bodies will be the Pleiades open star cluster.<\/p>
Jupiter will appear as a bright star to the naked eye, but will look even better through binoculars.<\/p>
Observe Jupiter through a telescope<\/a> and you’ll be able to see its stripes and large Galilean moons.<\/p>
As the sky continues to grow dark, at around 20:30 UTC you’ll see the constellation Orion has joined the Moon and Jupiter in the sky, making for a great naked-eye view.<\/p>
$\"See$
See the Moon along with Orion, the Pleiades and Jupiter on Christmas Night, 25 December 2023. This is the view looking southeast at 20:00 UTC. Credit: Stellarium<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The view will be similar on Christmas Night, 25 December, as Orion once again joins the Moon, the Pleiades and Jupiter in the night sky.<\/p>
Step out on Christmas Night at around 20:00 UTC and you’ll see the Moon, the Pleiades and Jupiter together in a line, an impressive sight if the sky is clear and dark.<\/p>
The three can be seen with the naked eye, but if you have a telescope or a pair of binoculars, you’ll be able to explore each of these bodies a little closer.<\/p>
$\"Constellation$
The constellation Orion. Top left is the red star Betelgeuse, and the ‘smudge’ just below the three stars of Orion’s Belt is the Orion Nebula. Credit: Zygmunt Szot<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Orion<\/a><\/strong> is a great constellation to explore. If you have dark skies, you should be able to see the Orion Nebula<\/a> with the naked eye, while binoculars or a telescope will give you great views of this star-forming region.<\/p>
**Explore Orion’s Belt<\/a>, too, and be sure to pinpoint the bright red star Betelgeuse<\/a>, which forms the hunter’s left shoulder.<\/p>**
$\"The$
The Pleiades. Credit: Mike Read<\/figcaption><\/figure>
**The** **Pleiades<\/a><\/strong> is a wonderful open star cluster that glows bright blue and can easily be seen with the naked eye.<\/p>**
**Again, a pair of binoculars or a telescope will get you closer, and you’ll be able to see even more stars within the cluster.<\/p>**
**Read our guide on how to photograph the Pleiades<\/a> for an extra challenge!<\/p>**
$\"Jupiter\u2019s$
Jupiter\u2019s four bright Galilean moons appear in a line, shining like stars near to the planet. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>
And when it comes to **Jupiter<\/strong>, even a modest refractor telescope will reveal the planet’s stripy appearance and its large** **Galilean moons<\/a>, making this a great target if you’ve received your first telescope for Christmas.<\/p>**
***For more advice, read our guide on*** ***what to see in the sky on Christmas night<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n***
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