Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Taurus (Tau)  ·  Contains:  Barnard's Merope Nebula  ·  IC 349  ·  Maia Nebula  ·  Merope Nebula  ·  NGC 1432  ·  NGC 1435  ·  The star 18Tau  ·  The star Atlas (27Tau)  ·  The star Celaeno (16Tau)  ·  The star Electra (17Tau)  ·  The star Merope (23Tau)  ·  The star Pleione (28Tau)  ·  The star Sterope I (21Tau)  ·  The star Taygeta (19Tau)  ·  The star ηTau
M45, paulweingart
M45
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M45

Acquisition type: Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA, e.g. based on a live video feed)
M45, paulweingart
M45
Powered byPixInsight

M45

Acquisition type: Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA, e.g. based on a live video feed)

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Description

M45 also known as The Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster of bright young stars located about ~450 light years away from earth in the Taurus constellation. Although the cluster contains more than 800 stars, it’s named for the 9 brightest stars, seven sisters, and their two parents.

The Pleiades are considered a reflection nebula. These extremely bright blue stars illuminate nearby interstellar gas and dust reflecting it back to us and giving the nebula its bright color.

It’s typical to be able to view 6 stars under light pollution, but it’s also possible to view up to 12 stars with your naked eye under dark clear skies.

Lights 42 x 181 seconds, Darks 25 x 181 seconds, 20 Biases, 20 Flats, Tracked, Guided, No filters

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M45, paulweingart