7 Sisters Star Cluster

Description

Seven Sisters Star Cluster – M45

24×36 Foam Board Prints with 5×8 Foam Board Placard

M45, better known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster located in the constellation Taurus, shining from approximately 440 light-years away from Earth. This cluster is one of the nearest and most observable celestial objects in the night sky, making it a favorite among astronomers and sky enthusiasts alike.

The Pleiades cluster is famed for its seven most prominent stars, which are named after the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology—Maia, Electra, Taygeta, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope—daughters of the titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione. Surrounded by a delicate blue nebulosity, these stars appear to be swathed in a celestial veil, which is a reflection nebula caused by dust scattering the blue light of the hot, young stars.

The age of the Pleiades cluster is estimated to be about 100 million years, making it relatively young in the cosmic timeline. It contains over 1,000 confirmed members, although its most noticeable stars are hot blue and extremely luminous, dominating the cluster’s appearance in the night sky.

Spanning about 8 light-years across, the Pleiades are not just a cluster of stars but a beacon in our galaxy, signaling the processes of stellar evolution from their formation to their eventual fate. The stars of the Pleiades are likely to continue traveling through space together as a gravitationally bound ensemble for several hundred million more years, after which they might disperse due to gravitational interactions.

This awe-inspiring cluster was captured from the clear, dark skies of Spring Hill, TN, USA, providing a stellar spectacle that continues to inspire stories, guide sailors, and delight observers around the globe.