Pleiades (star cluster)

The Pleiades (also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters) is an open cluster in the constellation of Taurus. It is among the nearest to earth of all open clusters, probably the best known and certainly the most striking to the naked eye.

Names and technical information

The nine brightest stars of the Pleiades are named for the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology: Asterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete, Celaeno and Alcyone, along with their parents Atlas and Pleione. As daughters of Atlas, the Hyades were sisters of the Pleiades. The name of the cluster itself is of Greek origin, though of uncertain etymology. Suggested derivations include: from πλει̂ν plein, to sail, making the Pleiades the "sailing ones"; from pleos, full or many; or from peleiades, flock of doves. The following table gives details of the brightest stars in the cluster:

Related Topics:
Seven Sisters - Greek mythology - Asterope - Merope - Electra - Maia - Taygete - Celaeno - Alcyone - Atlas - Pleione - Hyades - Greek - Peleiades

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Pronunciation guide: a as in cat (when stressed), or in sofa (when not); ay as in day; ai as in air; e as in pet; ee as in feet; i as in bit; eye as in bite; oh as in bone; s as in hiss. Stress is indicated by an apostrophe after the stressed syllable (af'-ter).

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