The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, is an open star cluster constitutes of middle-aged, hot B-type stars in the of the constellation Taurus, the Bull. It is among the star clusters nearest to Earth and is the cluster most obvious to the naked eye in the night sky, often confused … Read more
An open cluster spanning some 15 light-years, M44 holds 1,000 stars or so. The cluster was not resolved into its individual stars until telescopes were available (Galileo was first to resolve its stars). A popular target for modern, binocular-equipped sky gazers, the cluster’s few yellowish tinted, cool, red giants are scattered through the field of … Read more
In 1845 William Parsons made a sketch of the Whirlpool Galaxy from a 72-inch reflector. Almost 40 years later, that particular sketch inspired the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh to create his masterpiece – The Starry Night. Van Gogh was well aware of the astronomical discoveries made in his time. He knew space as a … Read more
