APOD: Mars and the Star Clusters (2022 Dec 30)

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APOD Robot
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APOD: Mars and the Star Clusters (2022 Dec 30)

Post by APOD Robot » Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:05 am

Image Mars and the Star Clusters

Explanation: At this year's end Mars still shines brightly in planet Earth's night as it wanders through the head-strong constellation Taurus. Its bright yellowish hue dominates this starry field of view that includes Taurus' alpha star Aldebaran and the Hyades and Pleiades star clusters. While red giant Aldebaran appears to anchor the V-shape of the Hyades at the left of the frame, Aldebaran is not a member of the Hyades star cluster. The Hyades cluster is 151 light-years away making it the nearest established open star cluster, but Aldebaran lies at less than half that distance, along the same line-of-sight. At the right, some 400 light-years distant is the open star cluster cataloged as Messier 45, also known as the Pleiades or Seven Sisters. In Greek myth, the Pleiades were daughters of the astronomical titan Atlas and sea-nymph Pleione.

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Ann
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Re: APOD: Mars and the Star Clusters (2022 Dec 30)

Post by Ann » Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:46 am


That's a very nice image! :D Note how Mars, the Hyades and the Pleiades form a beautifully symmetrical triangle! :D

Ann
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orin stepanek
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Re: APOD: Mars and the Star Clusters (2022 Dec 30)

Post by orin stepanek » Fri Dec 30, 2022 3:42 pm

mars_clusters1024.jpg
Beautiful Aldebaran; Mars; And The beautiful Blue Pleiades! What a
wonderful Threesome! :D 8-)
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Orin

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