Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Sept 30, 2004 3:35:52 GMT -6
I received this inquiry from Robyn regarding a nice group of stars in the eastern skies now:
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"Hi my name is Robyn and I was hoping you could help me. There is a group of stars if you look to the east that seem to be shaped like a small spoon, almost and O shape with a tail coming out of the bottom. They are very small compared to the rest and I cannot find out what the name of them are. I noticed them about 6 years ago also in the fall here in chicago and when i lived in phoenix a couple years back saw them all the time. I was just wondering if you could shed some light on this mystery for me that has been driving me nuts. Thanks much, Robyn "
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Robyn,
I was looking at the same object just this morning, as it always catches my eye, even in our light polluted skies of Chicago.
That beautiful grouping of stars in the early predawn eastern skies now are the "Pleiades" or Seven Sisters Open Star Cluster. Often confused with the big or little dipper, this gathering of make up a loose collection of young stars in a gassy nebula, in a somewhat spoon shaped formation.
It is a Messier object number 45 and located in the Constellation of Taurus. The Pleiades are among those objects which are known since the earliest times. At least 6 member stars are visible to the naked eye, while under moderate conditions this number increases to 9. The Pleiades is a white star cluster that is roughly 500 light years from Earth.
Through the telescope or binoculars, these gems sparkle like cool blue diamonds and are breathtaking!
Thanks for your question and interest in the night sky, as many who are learning the night skies are curious about this Star Cluster.
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"Hi my name is Robyn and I was hoping you could help me. There is a group of stars if you look to the east that seem to be shaped like a small spoon, almost and O shape with a tail coming out of the bottom. They are very small compared to the rest and I cannot find out what the name of them are. I noticed them about 6 years ago also in the fall here in chicago and when i lived in phoenix a couple years back saw them all the time. I was just wondering if you could shed some light on this mystery for me that has been driving me nuts. Thanks much, Robyn "
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Robyn,
I was looking at the same object just this morning, as it always catches my eye, even in our light polluted skies of Chicago.
That beautiful grouping of stars in the early predawn eastern skies now are the "Pleiades" or Seven Sisters Open Star Cluster. Often confused with the big or little dipper, this gathering of make up a loose collection of young stars in a gassy nebula, in a somewhat spoon shaped formation.
It is a Messier object number 45 and located in the Constellation of Taurus. The Pleiades are among those objects which are known since the earliest times. At least 6 member stars are visible to the naked eye, while under moderate conditions this number increases to 9. The Pleiades is a white star cluster that is roughly 500 light years from Earth.
Through the telescope or binoculars, these gems sparkle like cool blue diamonds and are breathtaking!
Thanks for your question and interest in the night sky, as many who are learning the night skies are curious about this Star Cluster.
