Today's Image

Pleiades ascending

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November 8, 2018

Claire L. Shickora at Delight’s Hot Springs Resort in Tecopa, California, wrote: “The Pleiades were outstanding, even with the local light pollution!”

Here’s a beautiful shot of the Pleiades star cluster – also known as the Seven Sisters – ascending in the eastern sky each evening now. See the tiny cluster that looks like a dipper, with its handle pointing downward? That’s it.

This little cluster marks the approximate radiant point of the South and North Taurid meteor showers, both of which are long-lasting showers going on now. The Pleiades is part of the constellation Taurus the Bull, and the meteors take their name from this constellation. Taurus is pretty easy to spot, but the Pleiades is very easy. Just remember it’s a tiny cluster – dipper-shaped – ascending in the eastern sky throughout the evening hours now.

Thanks for the photo, Claire L. Shickora!

If you trace the Taurid meteors backward, you’ll see that these meteors appear to come from the constellation Taurus the Bull, and its famous Pleiades star cluster. Read more.

Bottom line: A November 2018 photo of the Pleiades star cluster, which marks the approximate radiant point for the Taurid meteor shower.

The 2019 lunar calendars are here! Order yours before they’re gone. Makes a great gift.

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November 8, 2018

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.