Messier 45 is an open star cluster in the constellation Taurus. It’s best viewed in winter and early spring. Also known as the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, M45 is one of the nearest clusters to Earth and one of the brightest and most recognizable objects in the night sky, even from brighter suburban skies.
One of the most striking features of the Pleiades is its beauty. The bright blue stars of the cluster are set against a faint background of gas and dust, giving it a stunning appearance. With a small telescope or binoculars, the cluster takes on an even more spectacular appearance, with dozens of stars visible.
The Pleiades has been observed and recorded by astronomers for thousands of years and has played an important role in many cultures. In ancient Greece, the cluster was associated with the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, and was believed to be a source of divine inspiration. In Japan, the Pleiades is known as Subaru, and is the inspiration for the Subaru car company logo.
My Observations
November 8, 2018, at 11: p.m.: The Pleiades star cluster is well positioned in the sky this time of year. I chose the 40mm eyepiece for this observation. I started a sketch but didn’t finish. I also had the Canon70D and Sky Adventurer set up, so I’ll include photos below and follow up with a sketch at a later date.
ƒ/3.22 at 8s, 42mm, ISO1600
ƒ/3.2, 3.7s, 54mm, ISO3200
ƒ/6.3, 1.3s, 300mm, ISO1600
Key Stats
| Constellation | Taurus |
| Best Viewing | Winter |
| Visual Magnitude | +1.5 |
| Absolute Magnitude | -4.12 |
| Distance from Earth | 430 ly |
| Diameter | 15 ly |
| Apparent Size | 120 arcmin |
| My Viewing Grade | A+ |
Sources and Notes
The photo of M45 is provided by NASA, ESA, AURA/Caltech, Palomar Observatory and is in the public domain.
The Garden Astronomer 
3 thoughts on “Messier 45: Seven Diamonds in a Winter Mist”