The Moon and the Pleiades in a Traditional Arabian Seasonal Conjunction

My image of the waning crescent Moon and the Pleiades (M45), captured from the United Arab Emirates.

Beyond its visual beauty, this conjunction also holds cultural significance. In traditional Arabian astronomy, the Moon’s close passage by the Pleiades was known as one of the seasonal Qirān (conjunctions). This particular event is traditionally regarded as the 25th Qirān, one of the conjunctions associated with Al Qayz, the hot summer season.

For generations, these recurring Moon and star conjunctions helped people follow the progression of the seasons and served as natural markers for agriculture, travel, and daily life before the widespread use of modern calendars.

The Pleiades is a bright open star cluster located about 444 light-years away in the constellation Taurus. Its Arabic name, Al Thurayya (الثريا), has been known throughout the Arab world for centuries and occupies an important place in both astronomy and cultural heritage.

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