I keep trying to see the Pleiades at night from my backyard. I know how to find it but one of my neighbors, or two actually, have strung up lights in their backyards and making it hard to see the night sky. I have waited all summer to see the Pleiades and I read it is visible in Jan and Feb.
So I go back online trying to see where to look in the night sky and what times are best and I see Oct was the best month to see them.
Anyone know when, where and what time? I’m in Phoenix.
Depending where you are in the U.S., about 30 minutes after sunset the Pleiades will be near zenith or straight up. You will see a very bright object close by, which is the Planet Jupiter which is located just west and south of the Pleiades.
In Phoenix, just look close to zenith after sunset. Wait until and totally dark then check it out.
Side note, Orion's head is Betelgeuse (say that 3 times fast NO DON'T)
Once you’re able to spot it, try to use binoculars if you have them, they will look like a miniature “Big Dipper”. It’s really tight and compact, but bright. You should be able to see them, good luck!
In Florida and Pleiades is directly overhead. So it should be directly overhead in AZ at 8 pm local as well. I measured using my hand width with fingers together from thumb to little finger with arm fully outstretched ..... and Pleiades is two hand widths ENE from Jupiter which is the brightest thing right now except for the moon. A line through the three stars of Orion’s belt point almost right at Pleiades which is three hand widths away to the West. Pleiades is pretty faint, but clearly a star cluster.