Hyades - Mel25

Minimum viewing equipment: unaided eye

The Hyades is the nearest star cluster to the Sun and contains about 100 bright stars. The distant are 150 light years. The centre of the group is 10 light years across. The other members of the group are spread out over an area of 80 light years across. The age of the cluster is 660 years. The Hyades are moving in the direction to the east of the star Betelgeuse (constellation Orion).

Note: This is an extended exposure picture taken with specialised equipment and is likely different from what can be seen through an ordinary telescope.