ASTRO DOG’S PHOTOGRAPH OF THE AMAZING CONJUNCTION BETWEEN THE MOON AND THE PLEIADES – 19/04/2026
On the 19th of April, the beautiful 7% illuminated waxing crescent Moon was appearing nearby to the Pleiades open star cluster (aka The Seven Sisters). We knew that this lunar/stellar conjunction would be an amazing sight in the sky and so we decided to head out on that night to observe and photograph this special celestial event.
OUR CELESTIAL ADVENTURE
As the skies started to become dark we gathered our camera gear and headed out to one of our favourite local observing locations just outside the light pollution of Scarborough. The skies were beautifully clear and when we arrived at our destination the Moon and the Pleiades looked amazing!
We started to set up our camera equipment under the moonlight whilst Luna and her little sister Selena played together among the spring flowers. It was a little chilly, the air was crisp and we were accompanied by the sound of owls calling in the night.
As we finished setting up our camera equipment, some unwelcome cloud started to travel closer to the celestial spectacle in the skies and so we quickly started to snap some shots of the conjunction just before they started to hide the Moon and Pleiades from view.
Thankfully we managed to capture a fair amount of tracked images to stack together before the clouds moved in and so when the clouds did begin to cover the skies we decided to head to another location where Luna and Selena could run around more before heading back home.
OUR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CONJUNCTION
Even though we didn’t manage to capture as many photographs as we would have liked due to the clouds we were still fairly happy with the images we captured and would like to share one of them with you all, we hope you like it!
In this image you can see the spectacular 7% illuminated waxing crescent Moon and the stunning blue stars of the Pleiades star cluster. Although the majority of the surface of the Moon was in shade at this moment in time, you can still see detail on the darker portion of the Moon due to an effect known as “Earthshine”.
💫 Star tracker – MSM Nomad
📷 Camera – Nikon Z6II
🔭 Lens – Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3
🎛 Exposure - 9 x 5s, ISO 800, f/10
EARTHSHINE?
“Earthshine” is a phenomenon that allows you to see detail on the darker portion of the Moon when the Moon is in its thin crescent phases.
When the Moon is in its thin crescent phases around the new Moon phase, a portion of Sunlight shining onto the Earth is reflected off the Earth’s clouds and seas. This reflected light faintly illuminates the night-side of the Moon.
This effect is best seen around 1–3 days before and after the new Moon, when only a very small portion of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun.
Using binoculars or a telescope can help you make out this detail on the Earthshine illuminated Moon.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
We always love hearing about your celestial adventures and seeing your photographs, and so if would like to, please feel free to share them with us in the comments below.
CLEAR SKIES!
All in all it was an amazing evening under the stars and Moon and we hope that you enjoy the photograph we captured.
As always if you head out to enjoy the night sky any time in the near future, we wish you good luck and clear skies! 💖✨🌌