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In Greek mythology, daughters of Atlas and Pleione, the sisters have lovely astronomical names: Alcyone, Celaeno, Electra, Taygeta, Maia, Sterope, and Merope (and wouldn't you love calling them all home from the back door).
The nine brightest stars of the Pleiades are named for the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology: Sterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete, Celaeno and Alcyone, along with their parents Atlas and Pleione.
Unlike their half-sisters the Hyades, the names of all seven Pleiades are assigned to stars in the cluster: Alcyone, Asterope (also known as Sterope), Celaeno, Electra, Maia, Merope and Taygete.
16 Tau Celaeno 17 Tau Electra 19 Tau Taygeta 20 Tau Maia 21 Tau Sterope I is known as Asterope when combined with Sterope II. 22 Tau Sterope II is known as Asterope when combined with Sterope I.
Six stars are easily visible to the naked eye—Alcyone (the brightest), Electra, Celaeno, Sterope, Maia, and Taygete.
Celaeno has often been called the "Lost Pleiad" because she was hit by lightning according to mythology. In reality, the star we call Celaeno is just at the limit of human vision in terms of brightness.
Cebalrai Beta Ophiuchi Celaeno 16 Tauri Chara Alpha Canum Venaticorum Cheleb Beta Ophiuchi Chertan Theta Leonis Chort Theta Leonis Chow Beta Serpentis Cor Caroli Alpha Canum Venaticorum Cursa Beta Eridani ...
Merope o o Atlas Electra o O o Pleione \ Celaeno . Alcyone O Maia Taygeta o .' Asterope Several sources used, most notably SEDS, seds.org. I like it! ...
The main stars in the Pleiades cluster are [7933] Alcyone (eta Tauri), [7939] Atlas (27 Tauri), [7941] Electra (17 Tauri), [7945] Maia (20 Tauri), [7948] Merope (23 Tauri), [7957] Taygeta (19 Tauri), [7983] Pleione (28 Tauri), [8010] Celaeno (16 ...
See also: Taurus, Pleiades, Maia, Alcyone, Pleione
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