What is that thing?

I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it. It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist. Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction. What is it? A galaxy?

Steve

Sounds like you are describing the Pleiades (AKA The Seven Sisters)

See http://sciastro.net/portia/articles/...x/pleiades.jpg


"Steve" wrote in message
om...
I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it. It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist. Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction. What is it? A galaxy?

Steve

On 22 Nov 2003 20:00:58 -0800, (Steve) ...reflected:

I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it. It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist. Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction. What is it? A galaxy?

Steve

'Tis the "Seven Sisters," or the "Pleiades," whichever you prefer.

It is classified among stars as an "open cluster" thereof, if I'm not mistaken,
and exhibits a "reflection"- type nebulosity.

'Tis "Winter's Brooch," as I fancy it.

Alan

(Steve) wrote in message . com...

I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it.

My best guess would be that you saw the Pleiades (M45). It's an "open
cluster" of stars that's relatively close to us, which is why it's so
easily visible. If you can see more than 6 stars with just your eyes,
then you've got pretty good skies and/or eyes. The view through
binoculars is spectacular, so if you have one lying around, give it a
try--a binocular is really two small, low-magnification telescopes
attached to each other.

For more information about the Pleiades, refer to the following page:

http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m045.html

The brightest stars are arranged in a sort of compact "dipper" shape.
To confirm your sighting, compare what you saw with these photos:

http://www.seds.org/messier/more/m045_m2.html

It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist.

This cluster is surrounded by gas and dust which reflect some of the
light of its stars, although it's extremely unlikely that you'd be
able to see it without a rather large telescope. It's possible that
there was some haze or particulate matter in the air above you, or the
simplest explanation might be that the combined light of the smaller
stars in the cluster would appear misty.

Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction.

If I guessed right about the object being the Pleiades, then its
position wouldn't change much from night to night at a given time, but
it does change fairly quickly with the time on your clock, due to the
Earth's rotation.


- Robert Cook

Steve wrote:

I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it. It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist. Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction. What is it? A galaxy?

Steve

Try: http://www.seds.org/~spider/ngc/ngc.cgi?m45

If Mr. Wormley is right, there is a definitive
test. Look at it with binoculars. If it turns
into a spill of jewels before your very eyes,
it's certainly the Pleiades.



Sam Wormley wrote:

Try: http://www.seds.org/~spider/ngc/ngc.cgi?m45

Thank you for your responses. I looked at it through binoculars. Spectacular.

Steve

Um, maybe it was the Pleiades...
rat
~( );

email: remove 'et' from .com(et) in above email address

(Steve) wrote in message . com...
I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it. It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist. Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction. What is it? A galaxy?

Steve

You can also see it in the front grill of a Subaru, which is what the
Japanese call it.

On 25 Nov 2003 07:45:54 -0800, (Doogie Hoosier) ...reflected:

(Steve) wrote in message . com...
I know nothing about astronomy. I can see a small cluster of stars,
with about 7 to 10 bright stars in it. It almost looks like it is in
a kind of mist. Last night it was directly overhead. Tonight it is is
in a different direction. What is it? A galaxy?

Steve

You can also see it in the front grill of a Subaru, which is what the
Japanese call it.

I was wondering what that was just the other day!

Alan