Skywatching guides said Saturday, March 14 was a great night to spot the Hyades star cluster. A star cluster is a group of stars that formed around the same time—like a space “classroom” where the stars grew up together.
The Hyades are in the constellation Taurus, which people call “the Bull.” You can look for bright orange Aldebaran nearby as a helpful pointer star. Once you find that area, the Hyades can look like a small sideways “V,” kind of like connect-the-dots in the sky.
You don’t need fancy equipment to try. Many people can see the pattern with just their eyes, and binoculars can make it stand out more. If you go outside, ask a grown-up first, stay with an adult, choose a safe spot away from cars, dress warm, bring a flashlight, and never look at the Sun with binoculars.
When you star-watch, give your eyes time to adjust—more stars can appear as you keep looking. It’s also smart to remember that patterns in the sky are something our brains are good at noticing, so it helps to double-check by finding Aldebaran and Taurus again if you’re not sure you’ve found the Hyades.
The Hyades are in the constellation Taurus, which people call “the Bull.” You can look for bright orange Aldebaran nearby as a helpful pointer star. Once you find that area, the Hyades can look like a small sideways “V,” kind of like connect-the-dots in the sky.
You don’t need fancy equipment to try. Many people can see the pattern with just their eyes, and binoculars can make it stand out more. If you go outside, ask a grown-up first, stay with an adult, choose a safe spot away from cars, dress warm, bring a flashlight, and never look at the Sun with binoculars.
When you star-watch, give your eyes time to adjust—more stars can appear as you keep looking. It’s also smart to remember that patterns in the sky are something our brains are good at noticing, so it helps to double-check by finding Aldebaran and Taurus again if you’re not sure you’ve found the Hyades.