The April 1, 2006 Lunar Occultation of the Pleiades
This year, we are treated to the sight of the Moon hiding the stars of the Seven Sisters (a.k.a. the Pleiades, or M45) on several nights. The Moon's wobbling orbit takes it across the Pleiades for a few months only every 18 years, so this is a relatively rare event. Although the Moon crosses the Pleiades ever month this year, not every meeting is visible from North America during nighttime hours. But five are: April 1, July 20, October 9, and December 3. More information regarding the other occultations occurring in 2006 can be found here and in the March/April 2006 issue of SkyNews.
  Arguably the best of the bunch comes on the night of April 1, when the waxing crescent Moon, complete with Earthshine lighting up the dark portion of the lunar disc, slides across the Pleiades. The event occurs in the early-evening sky and is best seen from eastern Canada. From the west, the occultation is over by the time darkness falls; westerners see the Moon to the east (left) of the Pleiades. If you miss this one, a similar event occurs on March 22, 2007, but only for western Canada.
Binoculars or a telescope operating at low power will present the best view. Click on the image above for a simulated view.
Astrophotographers will face the dilemma of choosing to either over-expose the crescent Moon, in order to record more stars, or to shoot for lunar detail. Bracketing exposures is advised. Short focal length telescopes that allow both the entire Pleiades and the Moon to be photographed together will allow for the most aesthetic images.
After your images have been processed, remember to submit them to SkyNews for a chance to have your's selected as the SkyNews Photo of the Week.
For more information on celestial events that will be occuring soon,
please see the SkyNews Observers Guide.
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