Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics: Study the Seven Sisters

December 2009: The Pleiades is one of the nearest star clusters to Earth and a popular observing target.

Contributed by Glenn Chaple

Published: October 26, 2009

The Pleiades star cluster (M45) has caught the attention of sky-gazers since ancient times. Under normal conditions, most observers can see six Pleiads without optical aid.

Photo by Chris Schur

Four centuries ago, the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei opened up the universe with his telescope. Among his discoveries were mountains and craters on the Moon, four bright satellites orbiting Jupiter, and the changing phases of Venus — all of which contradicted the common belief of a perfect Earth-centered universe.

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	Sun	Sun	Moon
RISE	—		—	PHASE	—
SET	—		—	DISK	—