The Pleiades

An Open Cluster of Stars in Taurus

M45

Best time to observe: October - May

To locate:

In the winter, find Orion, usually high above the southern horizon. Up and to the right is a "V" shape of dim stars, with one bright orange-red star at the top, Aldebaran. Step from the upper right shoulder of Orion to Aldebaran, then keep going to a small cluster of stars arranged like a tiny dipper. That's the Pleiades.

What to notice:

We sometimes call this cluster the 7 Sisters, although only 6 stars are generally visible. First, look at the cluster with your naked eye. How many can you see? Next, try it with binoculars. How many can you see now? This cluster is almost better viewed through binoculars than the telescope because you can see the entire thing at once. When you look at the cluster through a telescope (make sure you use low power), you'll only be looking at the center. What color are the stars? Can you sketch all the stars you see? If not, sketch only the brightest.

What you are looking at:

The Pleiades are a cluster of hundreds of young stars which formed together in a nebula about 50 million years ago, when ground sloths roamed the Earth. They've pushed away the left-over gas and are now traveling through space together. Eventually they will disperse and, like our Sun, become individual stars scattered in our Milky Way.

Sketch the Pleiades on one of your observing pages.

Back to the Palomares Astronomy Homepage