Another M45... :)

[Avdhoeven]

M45 Pleiades by Andre van der Hoeven, on Flickr

The Pleiades, also known as Messier 45, are what astronomers call an open cluster of stars, meaning the stars are loosely bound to each other and will eventually, after a few hundred million years, go their separate ways. Located in the Taurus constellation, the cluster is the subject of many legends and writings. Greek mythology holds that the flock of stars was transformed into celestial doves by Zeus to save them from a pursuant Orion. The 19th century poet Alfred Lord Tennyson described them as “glittering like a swarm of fireflies tangled in a silver braid.”

The star cluster was born when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, about one hundred million years ago. It is significantly younger than our 5-billion-year-old sun. 

In this true color view the cluster is seen surrounded by 
an immense cloud of dust. When this cloud was first observed, it was thought to be leftover material from the formation of the cluster. However, studies have found the cluster to be about 100 million years old — any dust left over from its formation would have been dissipated long ago by radiation and winds from the most massive stars. 
The cluster is therefore probably just passing through the cloud seen here, heating 
it up and making it glow.

At a distance of about 436 light-years from Earth, the Pleiades is one of the closest star clusters and plays an important role in determining distances to astronomical bodies further away.  

In visible light the dust around the cluster has a blue color because of the reflecting light of the young blue giants. Shining
through the thin layers of dust, the back-ground stars and galaxies are clearly visible.

The Pleiades is a favorite object for many amateur astronomers as it is presently 
a wonderful site in a telescope, with binoculars, or even with the naked eye.

The cluster has long been a test of visual acuity for the unaided eye. Individuals with normal vision may typically discern 6 stars while those with exceptional vision under good conditions may see up to 9.

Exposure info:

Telescope: TMB92SS
Camera QSI583ws

L: 83x180s
R: 17x300s
G: 22x300s
B: 38x300s

Total: 10,5 hours

[coatesg]

Wonderful wispy detail - great shot!

[mikey2000]

I can't imagine the effort that went into getting this photo.  Bravo!    Truly a "Hubble Moment" from your observing location.

 

Apart from the amazing detail in the dust clouds and obviously high resolution (was this resized for screen viewing or are even higher rez versions available?)

 

(Sorry, a little pause here - I have to scroll back up for another look)

 

 

 

(Yep, I enjoyed that)

Another thing:  It's so good to read a bit of a story about the object.  Illuminating!  (And thankyou!)

[laudropb]

Very nice image.

[Yamez]

Amazing! The structure detail in the nebula is superb. Brilliant work!

[wimvb]

Great image. I love it.

[MartinFransson]

Can´t have too many M45 This is a really nice version with clear structures in the nebula. Great!

[PatrickGilliland]

Nice work some great fine wispy detail in there. Paddy

[xanthic]

That's superb!