M45 - Pleiades (Seven Sisters)
The Pleiades is the most famous open cluster and one of the nearest to Earth. It's surrounded by a reflection nebula illuminated by hot blue stars.
Distance: 444 light-years
Apparent Magnitude: 1.60
Apparent Size: 110' (nearly 2°)
Constellation: Taurus
Object Type: Open Cluster + Reflection Nebula
Key Features:
- Nearest Messier object
- 7 visible stars (named for 7 sisters)
- ~1,000 total members
- Reflection nebula (Maia Nebula)
- Age: 100 million years
- Visible naked eye
Best Imaging Season: October - February
Optimal Integration: 4+ hours (wide field)
