Q 01/05

In which constellation are the Pleiades found?

A) Orion

B) Taurus

C) Gemini

D) Perseus

Answer · why

B) Taurus

They sit in the bull's northwest corner and, with the Hyades, form the so-called Golden Gate of the Ecliptic.

Q 02/05

What is the Pleiades' designation in Charles Messier's catalogue?

A) M31

B) M13

C) M42

D) M45

Answer · why

D) M45

It is the Messier object nearest to Earth and an odd inclusion, since nobody could mistake it for a comet.

Q 03/05

By what popular name, referring to a family, are the Pleiades also known?

A) The Three Kings

B) The Little Bear

C) The Seven Sisters

D) The Northern Crown

Answer · why

C) The Seven Sisters

Their myths worldwide almost always explain why only six can easily be seen.

Q 04/05

Roughly how far from Earth are the Pleiades?

A) About 44 light-years

B) About 4,400 light-years

C) About 444 light-years

D) About 44,000 light-years

Answer · why

C) About 444 light-years

That is about 136 parsecs, and it makes them one of the nearest star clusters to Earth.

Q 05/05

About how many stars does the Pleiades cluster contain?

A) About 100

B) Over 1,000

C) About 50,000

D) Exactly seven

Answer · why

B) Over 1,000

Only the brightest six or seven are easily visible to the naked eye, though sharp-eyed observers can see up to 14.

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