Page 2 Taurus - the constelation
This month we are having a look at some wonderful features in Taurus. Most of us know of the bull constellation from astrology, in the real universe, it contains 2 of the most wonderful sights in the sky. These are the star clusters, the Pleiades and the Hyades.
What is a star cluster? It's just a group of stars close to each other, loosely bound together by gravity.
In the winter months, if you go out on a clear night and look in the east, a little way above the horizon, you should see a sideways 'V' of stars, a bit like an arrowhead. These stars are the Hyades, an incredible cluster of stars, in fact the closest star cluster to us. Big telescopes have counted 132 stars, however if we look through our binoculars we can only see some of those, but more than enough to make a fabulous sight.
Now, my favourite star cluster, M 45, the Pleiades, or 7 sisters is a little way above and to the right of the Hyades. It's difficult to miss, even on a poor night you should be able to see 4 or 5 stars very close together. Now
The Hyades
look through you binoculars, it's a real ooh aah sight. Instead of 4 or 5 stars, you will see what looks a hundred, all surrounded in a thin gas cloud lit by the star Merope. The gas cloud used to be believed to be left over from the formation of these stars, a mere 500 million years ago, now we know the cluster just happens to be passing through it.
As with most clusters it's slowly dispersing, so if you want to see it, you only have 200 million years until it's gone!
If anyone wants to see these through one of our telescopes, come to one of our observing evenings, email us at
vegabaja.astronomygroup@
gmail.com - don't forget the dot in the middle.
Also if you need help with a telescope come to one of our meetings, email us for details.
The Pleiades That's all we have room for this month. Clear skies to you. Charles Oates.
QF Focus Magazine
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