Pleiades (M 45)

Pleiades (M 45) is an open cluster in the constellation Taurus, magnitude 1.6, 1.8° across.

The Seven Sisters, the brightest and most famous star cluster, about 440 light-years away. Binoculars show dozens of blue-white stars; the nebulosity around them, a dust cloud the cluster is passing through, is faint to the eye but shines in photographs.

When and where to see it

It is best placed in the evening sky around December, when it crosses the meridian at about 10 pm local time (around midnight in November). It can be seen from everywhere north of 66°S and never sets north of 66°N.

At its highest it stands 64° up from 50°N, 79° up from 35°N, 66° up from the equator, 31° up from 35°S.

Facts

Type

Open cluster

Constellation

Taurus

Designations

M 45, Mel 22, Seven Sisters, Subaru, Melotte 22

Magnitude

1.6

Apparent size

1.8°

Position

RA 3h 47.5m, Dec +24° 6′ (J2000)

Open AstroPilot to see when Pleiades (M 45) is highest tonight from your location, how easy it is with your telescope or binoculars, and an eyepiece view.