A lot of people are familiar with the
Pleiades star cluster and overlook the Hyades cluster nearby. It is nearly 6° in size and comprises a large portion of the head of
Taurus. If you look toward the eye of Taurus, Aldebaran, you will see a bunch of stars around it. This is the Hyades. Although Aldebaran seems to be a part of the Hyades it is actually not associated with it gravitationally. Aldebaran is coincidentally in the same line of sight to the large open cluster. The age and motion of the Hyades is actually related to
M44 -- The Beehive Cluster which likely indicates a common origin.
Mythologically, the brightest stars of the Hyades are known as half-sisters to the Pleiades being the daughters of Atlas. Their brother Hyas was killed in a hunting accident which caused them great grief. They were placed in the sky to share their grief with humanity as their placement in the sky would indicate April rain showers.
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| Hyades |
In order to properly see the Hyades in one field of view you will need to use a small pair of binoculars. Another way of viewing them is to use a somewhat wide angle lens on a camera and photographing the cluster. Although it may not be as great a visual treat than the Pleiades it still holds a special wonder.
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| Hyades Observation Record |
The next time you are out in the Winter sky, see if you can point out the Hyades right above!
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