For my daughter’s 5th birthday, we got her a telescope as she has been very interested in space and planets. I wont lie, the telescope was a bit of a present for me too. I remember evenings with my dad, out in the garden, getting lessons in astronomy and the myths behind the constellations. So when I am teaching my own daughter the same things, I feel like my dad is just a little closer, maybe hovering at our shoulders, prompting long forgotten knowledge to the surface.
One of my favourite constellations is the Pleiades, the seven sisters. I liked the name, the story and perhaps because I am an only child, the thought of six sisters was an unbelievable gift.
In this post I want to share the myth and science behind that little cluster of lights, just out of reach of Orion…
The Stellar Portrait: Pleiades Constellation
The Pleiades is a prominent open star cluster located in the constellation of Taurus. To the naked eye, it appears as a tight group of seven or more stars, depending on one’s vision and light pollution conditions. However, when observed through a telescope, hundreds of stars are revealed within this cosmic family.
The Mythical Threads: Pleiades in Mythology
The Pleiades constellation has a rich mythological history that varies across different cultures. Here is the most notable myth associated with the Seven Sisters:
Greek Mythology: The Seven Sisters
In Greek mythology, the Pleiades are seven sisters, daughters of the Titan Atlas and sea-nymph Pleione. Their names are Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope. The myth goes that they caught the eye of the hunter Orion, who pursued them relentlessly. To protect the sisters, Zeus transformed them into stars, placing them in the night sky as the Pleiades. Always out of reach of Orion
The Mysterious Missing Sister
Despite being known as the Seven Sisters, keen-eyed observers may notice that they can only discern six stars with the naked eye. This apparent inconsistency has puzzled stargazers for centuries. The answer lies in the mythology itself.
In Greek mythology, one of the Pleiades, Merope, is often described as the “lost” or “invisible” sister. According to the myth, Merope married a mortal man, which brought shame upon her celestial siblings who had chosen divine partners. This perceived loss of radiance in her star is symbolically reflected in the fact that Merope’s star is the dimmest of the Pleiades when observed from Earth.
In reality, Merope’s star is not truly invisible; it’s simply less luminous due to factors like dust and gas in the space between us and the star. Nonetheless, this celestial anomaly adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Pleiades constellation, reminding us that even the heavens are not immune to tales of human drama.
So, the next time you gaze upon the Pleiades and count only six stars, you can appreciate the deeper story of Merope, the “lost” sister, and the enduring fascination of this celestial cluster.
Indigenous Stories: Cultural Perspectives
Indigenous cultures around the world have their own stories and names for the Pleiades.
In Aboriginal Australian culture, the Pleiades, known as the “Seven Sisters” hold a special place in their Dreamtime mythology. According to their oral traditions, the seven stars represent seven sisters who fled from a fierce suitor, becoming a prominent constellation in the night sky. The story of the Seven Sisters’ journey is a tale of adventure, love, and survival. In various Aboriginal cultures across Australia, these celestial siblings are revered and their story serves as a source of cultural identity and connection to the cosmos. The Pleiades, for the Aboriginal people, are not just distant stars but a living part of their spiritual and cultural heritage, reminding them of the timeless connection between the Earth and the heavens. Similarly, the Maori people of New Zealand have a rich tradition surrounding the constellation.
The Historical Beacon: Pleiades in Ancient Astronomy
The Pleiades have been significant in various ancient cultures’ calendars and celestial navigation. In ancient Japan, their rising marked the beginning of the agricultural season. For the ancient Greeks, they were associated with the start of sailing season. Even the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei made observations of the Pleiades with his telescope in the early 17th century, revealing the true nature of these stars.
Contemporary Significance: Astronomical Insights
What makes this celestial formation particularly intriguing to astronomers is not only its striking visual appearance but also its astronomical significance. The Pleiades cluster consists of hundreds of young, hot, and luminous stars that were born from the same massive cloud of gas and dust approximately 100 million years ago. This age makes them relatively young in astronomical terms, allowing scientists to study stellar evolution, star formation, and the interstellar medium. Additionally, the Pleiades are among the nearest star clusters to Earth, providing valuable data for distance measurements and calibrations in the field of astronomy. With its beauty and scientific importance, the Pleiades continue to be a captivating subject of study and observation for both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers alike.
Conclusion: A Celestial Tapestry
As we gaze upon the Pleiades constellation, we are not only witnessing the beauty of the night sky but also connecting with millennia of human history and imagination. Whether you admire them for their scientific importance or are enchanted by their mythical allure, the Pleiades remain a celestial wonder that unites the past, present, and future under a shimmering canopy of stars.
So, the next time you look up at the night sky and spot the Seven Sisters, remember the tales of love, adventure, and wonder that have been woven into the fabric of the Pleiades constellation for generations.
What is your favourite constellation myth?
