Pleiades Close Up

M45, also historically nicknamed the seven sisters is one of the most prominent celestial objects visible to the naked eye and is easily viewed visually through binoculars.

This image is a closeup of part of the Pleiades, showing the bright stars Alcyone (mid-left) and Merope (bottom-right).

The Pleiades is one of the closest of all open star clusters at a distance of about 440 light years.

The reflection nebula here is illuminated by the hot blue luminous stars revealing finely structured wisps and striations.