28/10/2026
Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’: fantasy or real night sky observation?
Researchers think they’ve figured it out. 🎨
Previously, it was thought to have been painted in June, but researchers using forensic astronomy, studying the positions of the Moon, Venus, the Hyades star cluster, the weather and descriptions of the seasons, have pinpointed it to match the pre-dawn sky around 22 July 1889.
Next time you spot the Hyades star cluster, which can be seen in the evening sky this month, think of Van Gogh and his starry night. ✨
Kim, E.Jh., Kang, S., Song, J. et al. The actual sky of Van Gogh’s Starry Night: a multidisciplinary reconstruction. Sci Rep 16, 31109 (2026)
