Pleiades Cluster

An early DSLR revision of the Seven Sisters

TypeCluster ConstellationTaurus SeasonAutumn PaletteNatural color Integration timeNot recorded Captured2015

An early Pleiades revision from 2015, kept as part of the long-running archive.

What am I looking at?: The Pleiades (Seven Sisters) is an open star cluster whose hot blue stars illuminate surrounding dust, creating faint blue reflection nebulosity.
How far away is it?: About 444 light-years away.
Where is it in the sky?: In Taurus, visible as a compact group of stars even to the naked eye.
Why does it matter?: One of the nearest and most recognizable star clusters, often a first target for beginners.
When is the best time to photograph it?: Autumn and winter evenings when Taurus rises in the east.

Target Planner

When to image this target

Cluster in Taurus; best planned for September through November from New Jersey.

Best season September through November

Autumn is a strong window for Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and late Cygnus fields.

Good from NJ Late summer through autumn evenings

Assumes a New Jersey backyard horizon and evening imaging.

Object type Cluster

Stable seeing helps star color, roundness, and tight cluster detail.

Constellation Taurus

M45 is listed here in Taurus.

Moon tolerance More forgiving than faint nebulae or galaxies.

Current frame: Natural color / Broadband DSLR.

Live altitude, moon, and filter guidance

Planning from Sewell, NJ

Check your location Enter ZIP in planner

Use the full planner to enter a ZIP code, choose a date, and compare the target from your sky.

Planning values are approximate and update in your browser.

Planning site Sewell, NJ 39.7700, -75.1400

Current altitude ...

Based on the current time.

Green marks usable dark-sky altitude.

Next transit ...

Next upper transit.

Rise / set ...

Approximate horizon crossing.

Moon now ...

Moon phase and altitude.

My gear vs this target

30m Total integration

Integration Channels

Channel	Frames	Time
Integration	15 x 120s	30m

Equipment used: From my current rig
Mount: iOptron CEM60
Telescope: Explore Scientific FCD100 127mm Carbon Fiber Triplet APO
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Filters: Chroma 36mm Ha, OIII, SII, and LRGB (ZWO EFW 7×36mm)
Focuser / rotator: MoonLite NiteCrawler
Reducer: Starizona Apex ED 0.65×
Guiding: ZWO off-axis guider + ASI290MM Mini
Control / power: PrimaLuceLab Eagle 4S, Powerwerx PSU, Bioenno field battery, and MEGAbox