Starwatch: see a star 'wink' as the moon blocks its light

The waxing crescent moon passes through the rich naked-eye star cluster known as the Hyades during the evening of 22 March.

The Hyades sits at the heart of the constellation Taurus. It is the closest star cluster to the Earth, only 150 light years away. This means that the light we see from its stars set off across space 150 years ago, during the mid-19th century.

The Hyades contains hundreds of stars, most of them only visible through telescopes. For those in a dark site, well away from streetlights, there is an added bonus.

At 08:19 GMT, the moon will pass in front of the faint star known as 75 Tauri. It will be possible to see the star “wink out” as it is covered (occulted) by the dark side of the moon.

The same happens at 11:38 GMT for the bright star Aldebaran, however, the moon will be almost set from London by that time. Skywatchers further west will stand a better chance.