Today we focus on the world of astronomy to describe a well-known group of stars that is close to our planet: the Pleiades . This open star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, is located near Earth and has a pre-Hispanic name: the Seven Little Goats. It is quite easy to identify in the night sky due to its proximity to Earth. It can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere in the constellation Taurus at a distance of approximately 450 light-years.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, origin and mythology of the Pleiades.
Key features
It is a relatively young star cluster since the stars are only about 20 million years old. In the open cluster we can find around 500-1000 stars with hot spectral type B characteristics all located in the constellation of Taurus. We are going to describe the main types of stars that we can find in the pleiades and their brightness:
- Alcyone: It is the brightest star of all the Pleiades stars and is located at a distance of about 440 light-years from our planet. Its apparent magnitude is +2.85, and it is a star almost 1000 times brighter than the Sun, and about 10 times larger.
- Atlas: It is the second brightest star in the Pleiades cluster and is located at a distance of 440 light-years, the same as Alcyone. It has an apparent magnitude of +3.62.
- Electra: It is the third star in order of brightness and is also located at the same distance as the other two. Its apparent magnitude is +3.72.
- Maia: It is one of the stars that has a bluish-white color and is located at a distance of about 440 light years with an apparent magnitude of +3.87.
- merope: In order of brightness it is the fifth and it is a subgiant star that has a bluish white color with an apparent magnitude of +4.14, located more or less at the same distance as the rest.
- Taygeta: it is a binary star that has an apparent magnitude of +4.29 and is somewhat closer to the solar system, being at a distance of 422 light years.
- Pleione: It is a star located at a similar distance to the rest and is about 190 times more luminous than the sun. It has a radius 3.2 times larger and its rotation speed is about 100 times faster than the sun's.
- Celaeno: It is a bluish-white subgiant binary star. Its apparent magnitude is +5.45, and it is located at a distance of 440 light-years.
Mythology of the Pleiades
As expected, most of the constellations in the sky have their own mythology. There are several myths about the Pleiades that tell of their existence in the celestial sphere. One of these mythological stories tells of the Pleiades, which means doves, and the seven sisters being the daughters of the Oceanid Pleione and Atlas. The sisters were Maia, Electra, Taygete, Asterope, Merope, Alcyone, and Celaeno; they were transformed into stars by the god Zeus as a way to protect them from Orion, who was pursuing them . It is even said that Orion continues to pursue the sisters across the night sky to this day.
Legend also tells that several Olympian gods, such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Ares, were seduced by the allure of these sisters and fathered children with them. Maia had a son with Zeus, whom they named Hermes; Celaeno had Lycus, Nycteus, and Euphemus with Poseidon; Alcyone also bore Poseidon a son, whom they named Hyrieus; Electra had two sons with Zeus, whom she named Dardanus and Iasion; Sterope bore Oenomaus to Ares; Taygete had Lacedaemon with Zeus; Merope being the only one of the Pleiades sisters who did not have relations with the gods ; instead, she only had relations with a mortal, Sisyphus.
Another part of the mythology tells that the Pleiades sisters decided to take their own lives because they were deeply depressed by everything that had happened to their father Atlas and the loss of their sisters, the Hyades. When they were about to commit suicide, Zeus decided to grant them immortality and placed them in the sky to become stars. From this story arose the mythology of this star cluster.
Observation of the Pleiades
As we mentioned before, the Pleiades are quite close to our planet, making them very easy to spot in the sky. This star cluster is considered easy to locate. Its brightest stars are readily visible. To locate the cluster, use the Taurus constellation guide, as the Pleiades are located within it.
Normally, only six stars can be identified with the naked eye, but on a clear night, more can be identified. To locate the Pleiades, you can use Orion as another guide. It's one of the most popular constellations and serves as a guide to reach this star cluster. They are located above Orion, crossing the constellation Taurus, and a group of bluish stars can be observed.
Observational studies
The most beautiful aspect of the stars, known as their peak, occurs during the month of November. This is when they can be seen at their most stunning. When observed through a professional telescope, it becomes clear that they are surrounded by a blue material that reflects the starlight and envelops them in a nebula.
This star cluster is quite interesting for the study of modern astronomy, which is why it continues to be part of astronomical research today that revolves around the life expectancy and future of these beautiful stars.