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| The beautiful Seven Sisters or Pleiades star cluster in the constellation of Taurus, complete with labels marking the main stars visible to the naked eye. Credit: Anglo-Australian Observatory/Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. |
byANDY FLEMING
There are certain objects
in the night sky that paradoxically and almost counter-intuitively appear much
better with the naked eyes or with ordinary common or garden binoculars rather
than expensive telescopes. One such object still visible in the early March
evening sky after dusk that also defies even the most appalling city and urban light pollution
is the Seven Sisters or Pleiades open star cluster. With a prominent place in
ancient mythology, it's perhaps one of the most popular astronomical targets
for the beginner... after all most youngsters are either taught about this
beautiful cluster of stars at home or at school. Some may also be familiar with
the constellation from its appearance on the badge on the bonnet of Japanese
Subaru cars: the manufacturer was named after the constellation.
Infact, The Pleiades
cluster, otherwise known as Messier 45 far from containing the six or seven
stars seen with the unaided eye actually contains hundreds, with many more
becoming visible through binoculars. For those in the northern hemisphere, the
cluster is above and to the right of Orion the Hunter as one faces south in the
constellation of Taurus the Bull.
