Pleiades (7 Sisters), M45

Dec 2021

Imaging: TS80 apo, ZWO ASI533 (100 gain, -10C), Neodymium
Subs: 766x60s (12h), darks, flats, and darkflats
Software: NINA, Phd2, PixInsight

(Additional notes below)

Gallery

Notes

My one-year redo of the Pleiades, commonly known as the Seven Sisters. According to Wikipedia, the Pleiades is an open star cluster containing middle-aged, hot B-type stars in the constellation Taurus. It is among the nearest star clusters to Earth, and it is obvious to the naked eye. The blue nebulosity makes it one of the more recognized images of the night sky. Once thought to be a left over from the star formation, we now know that the nebulosity is unrelated background through which the stars are passing.

This is one target where experience and equipment made a huge difference. I captured the images for this over 6 nights in late November and early December 2021. Exposure time was now correct, the telescope and camera were both much improved, and my processing capability is significantly better. All of these come together to really show the extent of the beautiful blue nebulosity.

For a dramatic demonstration of the change from then to now, take a look at this GIF.