Astounded by Pleiades

[Stevie P]

Apologies if I sound like a noob... But I have been absolutely astounded by my first decent view of Pleiades, not just the cluster but literally the sheer amount of extra stars I can see... I currently have no clue as to what most of them are.. but will find out..

A clue as to what the "snake" like arrangement in the bottom left would be a start ( I think its bottom left as image is "up-side down")..

Thanks in advance

Steve

[mdstuart]

Its a lovely snake..Its just stars in the cluster.

If our sun was put at the distance of this cluster 400 light yeears it would be far fainter than the brighter stars in Pleides and fainter even than those in the snake.

Mark

[cantab]

It really is a spectacular cluster. There are over a thousand members, so almost all the stars you see when looking at it will be part of the cluster.

[nightfisher]

Its a jewel in the night sky, a lovely sight

[DeepThought]

Every session I stop by the Pleiades for a quick look, it really is an incredible sight.

If it's number of stars you're looking for then the double cluster in Perseus has to be your next target.

[cotterless45]

With a bit of dark sky you can pick up the nebulosity that it's moving through. This gives lovely light glow areas in the star field,

Nick.

[lunator]

It is a great view, I find the best view is in my 15x70 Binos

[skysculptor]

As i said in a previous post on a clear night it looks like a cluster of blue tinted diamonds, so easy to see and a real pleasure.

[sparkyjon]

plaedes was one fo my firat light targets and i managed it and like you say the (pearl necklace) as i call it looks awsome and i wasnt getting proper focus due to bad collimation on my half so next time i get out it will look amazing....

[Mezolitik]

Definitely one for the binoculars. The 'scope can't fit them all in!

Also, the Hyades (?) (to the right of Aldebaran) are pretty cool too.

[Stu]

Wonderful through my 4" apo with 31t5 Nagler. 3.6 degree field of view filled with lovely pin sharp stars.

Stu

[simmo39]

Had a look last night, was very impressed, will pass by there again soon!

[Bill57]

Totally agree with everything said so far, first thing I ever looked at in the night sky was Jupiter because it stands out. Second was The Pleiades because it looked interesting with the naked eye but, wow when the scope focused in on it. Blue tinted diamonds and pearl necklace are great descriptions. Now every time I get the 200P out these two always get a visit with M42 of course. Just wonderful!

[Astro Imp]

Always look at M45 this time of year, M44 is another favourite.

[adrianelliott]

I absolutely love open clusters, they look amazing and keep the eye occupied for a long time. Also, they are more resistant to light pollution than galaxies and nebulae which means you can look at them in any observing session. Pleiades is the best of the bunch!

[JKB]

Yep my favourite object too, hence why in my pic.

Jamie

[faulksy]

lovely vue through my sct and the nebarosity is beautiful

[Lee M]

If it's number of stars you're looking for then the double cluster in Perseus has to be your next target.

+1 for that. I saw it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't on my 'list' for the evening, I was just somwhere dark for the first time and saw a 'smudge' and pointed the telescope at it. I think it definitely got a 'Wow' and probably one or two things that would be edited off here. All the better for the surprise no doubt but it is lovely.

Lee

[Pete Presland]

probably the most reconisble object in the winter sky, it's a beauty

[earth titan]

probably the most reconisble object in the winter sky, it's a beauty

+1for that. My favourite object.

Typed by me on my fone, using fumms... Excuse eny speling errurs.

[paler31]

I have just bought a skywatcher ED80 pro and have not had a chance to look at Pleiades yet, but the forecast is for clear skies tonight and that is my first target.

John

[Aronnax]

The Pleiades are great in a low magnification eyepiece, to fit as much of the cluster as possible.

If you like open clusters (as I am at the moment), there are some great examples to be found in nearby Auriga, and Gemini that really benefit from a telescope.

Clear skies

[James]

I love the Pleiades myself as there's something to look at whatever size scope (or bino's) you use. With binoculars you get the whole cluster surrounded by dark sky - a fantastic site. Scopes will show you closer in and with bigger scopes you lose the overall view but get a chance at seeing the nebulosity around some of the stars.

James

[m12_shakes]

It quite literally took my breath away when I first saw it through my bins.

I can't wait to see it through the new dob...thank you cloudy skies! It seems FLO sent complimentary clouds along with the dob

Regards,

m12

[Matt Scunthorpe]

It is very good in binos. I always find i need a wider EP than my 25 mm to fully appreciate it.