When the Moon meets Matariki in the morning

Yesterday morning, we got to mark the start of the Māori year, as pre-dawn ceremonies across the land celebrated the appearance of Matariki in the morning sky. You can never get bored with this spectacular cluster of stars and should take every opportunity to view it. That’s why, this week, I am making no apology for encouraging early risers to head out on Wednesday to enjoy what should be a fabulous close celestial approach between the Moon and the beautiful star cluster.

On Wednesday, the Moon will grace the sky as a delicate waxing crescent. Rising shortly after 5.30am, our planet’s sole natural satellite will slowly emerge from the horizon, making for a real sight to behold. Despite only a fraction of its surface being illuminated, those equipped with binoculars or, better yet, a small telescope, will be treated to breathtaking views of Oceanus Procellarium, the Ocean of Storms, on the Moon’s lower right side. Keep an eye out for the dark, circular crater Grimaldi, positioned near the centre of the lunar crescent. And, adjacent to the bright lunar crescent, the rest of the Moon will be softly illuminated by the ethereal Earthshine.

Earthshine is a gentle, faint glow that appears on the unlit part of the Moon’s surface when it’s a thin crescent. This phenomenon occurs when sunlight reflects off the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, casting a soft light on the Moon. This indirect illumination allows us to see the entire lunar disk, with the brighter crescent contrasting against the softly lit remainder of the Moon.

Astronomers refer to a celestial close approach as a conjunction. In this case, the Moon and Matariki will be separated by just over a degree. The close celestial pairing of the Moon and Matariki should provide an opportunity for some beautiful photographs as the sky brightens.

With the new Moon occurring on Saturday morning, we are entering the "dark of the moon," the time of month when the skies are darkest and best for observing.