STAR CLUSTERS
Two main types of star clusters can be distinguished: globular clusters, tight groups of ten thousand to millions of old stars which are gravitationally bound; and open clusters, less tight groups of stars, generally containing fewer than a few hundred members
SIZE / DISTANCE
Open clusters typically have a few hundred members and are located in an area up to 30 light-years across.
IMAGING TIME
Capturing the light from star clusters requires many hours of exposure time - typically over multiple nights.
COLOR / FILTERS
Star clusters are typically imaged using RGB filters (red, green, blue).
The images are mostly 'true color' but with some enhancements to bring out faint detail.
THE PLEIADES
Captured in a single night, thanks to its relative brightness, the Pleiades stands out as one of the most iconic star clusters in the winter night sky, just west of Taurus the Bull.
This well-known cluster has been revered across cultures for millennia, with the name "Pleiades" originally referring to seven divine sisters in Classical Greek mythology. The Māori, Australian Aborigines, Chinese, Mayans, Aztecs, as well as Native American cultures like the Sioux and Cherokee, all have their own unique names and rich mythologies surrounding this captivating star cluster.