Sisters of the Dusty Sky

[pokerfan]

Today's APOD is a nice one for those of you who like dark wallpaper themes...



Explanation: Hurtling through a cosmic dust cloud some 400 light-years away, the lovely Pleiades or Seven Sisters star cluster is well-known for its striking blue reflection nebulae. In the dusty sky toward the constellation Taurus and the Orion Arm of our Milky Way Galaxy, this remarkable image shows the famous star cluster at the upper left. But lesser known dusty nebulae lie along the region's fertile molecular cloud, within the 10 degree wide field, including the bird-like visage of LBN 777 near center. Small bluish reflection nebula VdB 27 at the lower right is associated with the young, variable star RY Tau. At the distance of the Pleiades, the 5 panel mosaic spans nearly 70 light-years.

Get the large version at the link: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap101118.html

[gateley]

1. Thank you! Of all the references to the Pleiades / Seven Sisters I've read, this is

the first time I've actually SEEN them! Recommend!

[pokerfan]

2. I'm sure you've seen them

Here's tonight's night sky from http://www.stellarium.org/">Stellarium:



Just find Orion, then look up and right (assuming early evening, northern hemisphere) to find Taurus and then continue to the Pleiades which I've highlighted with an arrow. Easy naked-eye open cluster but absolutely spectacular in binoculars.

[gateley]

5. I've actually never "sky gazed" - I hope to rectify that soon. Last night I was

mesmerized just looking and the clouds blowing in front of the moon and vowed to find a place away from the city where I could really SEE all the beauty that's out there. :hi:

[pokerfan]

7. You can't miss Orion

Especially, the three bright "belt" stars. Below and to the left is Sirius in Canis Major, the brightest star in the night sky.



Pleiades lore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades_in_folklore_and_literature

[gateley]

8. Trust me, I can. I have probs identifying the Big Dipper, and I've given up

trying to find the Little Dipper. This map will help when I get my act together and actually pursue this. I know I'll be fascinated and drawn into it. It's the beautiful pics that have been posted here on DU that piqued my interest.

Going to read about the Seven Sisters now - thanks for the link! :hi:

[StandingInLeftField]

3. It is beautiful, isn't it?

APOTD is the first thing I check when I get to work. Made this my wallpaper at 6:37 am!

[pokerfan]

4. Especially here where it's cloudy with snow on the ground

x(

[classof56]

6. Oh, my--astounding!

Thank you-thank you for posting, and for the link.

Peace.

[eridani]

9. The Pleiades hang

From dark cold maple branches
Wind does not move them