M45 The Pleiades

M45 - The Pleiades star cluster is comprised of 7 main stars (and several others) which are about 100 million years old and surrounded by dust. M45 is also known as The Maia Nebula and The Seven Sisters. This cluster is often mistaken for the Little Dipper although it is in the wrong part of the sky. The Little Dipper is MUCH larger and unfortunately due to light pollution, is not visible for most of the sky in North America. This star cluster has been known since ancient times and is believed to be mentioned in the bible. M45 has long been mentioned in works of literature and theology.

M45 is a very bright (magnitude 2.7) object and can easily be seen without the aid of a telescope.

CLICK HERE to locate M45 in the night sky.

This image was taken with an Astro-Tech 66mm APO refractor with an SBIG ST-2000 XCM single shot camera. Total exposure time: 18 minutes.

	M45 The Pleiades Located in The Constellation Taurus
	© 2010 The Lozano Observatory M45 - The Pleiades star cluster is comprised of 7 main stars (and several others) which are about 100 million years old and surrounded by dust. M45 is also known as The Maia Nebula and The Seven Sisters. This cluster is often mistaken for the Little Dipper although it is in the wrong part of the sky. The Little Dipper is MUCH larger and unfortunately due to light pollution, is not visible for most of the sky in North America. This star cluster has been known since ancient times and is believed to be mentioned in the bible. M45 has long been mentioned in works of literature and theology. M45 is a very bright (magnitude 2.7) object and can easily be seen without the aid of a telescope. CLICK HERE to locate M45 in the night sky. This image was taken with an Astro-Tech 66mm APO refractor with an SBIG ST-2000 XCM single shot camera. Total exposure time: 18 minutes.