M45 - The Pleiades Star Cluster in Taurus
Copyright 2001 Hap Griffin
This open cluster of hot, young stars (approximately 100 million years old) is easily visible with the naked eye and has been known since ancient times. The Pleiades are sometimes called the "Seven Sisters" from Greek mythology, or "Subaru" by the Japanese (this is where the car name came from). Often, this cluster is mistaken by laymen for the Little Dipper due to its shape (the real Little Dipper is much larger and in another part of the sky).
The beautiful blue emission nebula surrounding the stars of the cluster was once thought to be the remains of the cluster's birth cloud. However, recent measurements of the relative velocities and directions of travel of the cloud and stars reveal that they are unrelated...we are fortunate to be living in a time when their chance collision creates one of the most beautiful sites in the winter sky. The distance to M45 is 380 light-years.
Date/Location:
October 17, 2001 Griffin/Hunter
Observatory Bethune, SC
Instrument: Meade f6.3 10" LX-200
Focal Ratio: Approx. f4 (utilizing focal reducer in GEG)
Guiding: Manual - Lumicon GEG
Conditions: Visually clear
Weather: 35 F, calm
Film: Kodak Elite Chrome 200
Exposure: 1 x 60 minutes
Filters: None
Processing: Finished in Photoshop 5