Beyond Our Vision

Stars – Pleiades Open Cluster (M45)

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M45 — the Pleiades or Seven Sisters

an open cluster and reflection nebula

Known as Suburu in Japan

The Pleiades is an asterism containing 12 or so stars bright enough to be visible with unaided eyes but for most people only the 6 brightest are apparent. Clouds of interstellar dust surround these hot, bright blue-white stars and reflect their light. Less dense dust clouds are seen throughout the field. The reflection nebulae only become visible with long exposure times.