A Celestial Glow-Up: Reprocessing the Pleiades (M45)
Five years ago, I captured this image of M45, the magnificent Pleiades star cluster. Back then, I processed it to the absolute best of my abilities with the tools and knowledge I had. This week, I decided to revisit that same data with the benefit of five more years of experience and access to more advanced processing techniques.
The results speak for themselves! It's always fascinating to see how much can be brought out of the same raw data with refined skills.
Behold the Reprocessed Image:
A Starry Icon: Understanding M45
M45, affectionately known as the Pleiades, Seven Sisters, or Subaru in Japanese, is an open cluster nestled in the constellation Taurus. It's a true gem of the winter night sky, easily visible to the naked eye and a frequent target for astrophotographers.
Key Facts about M45:
- Composition: The cluster is home to over 1,000 stars, with the most striking being a group of hot, blue giant stars that illuminate the surrounding dust clouds.
- Age: M45 is a relatively young cluster, with an estimated age of around 100 million years.
- Distance: It's located approximately 444 light-years away from Earth.
It's incredible to think that even car manufacturers draw inspiration from the cosmos; the Subaru logo famously features six of the brightest stars in the Pleiades cluster.
I'm really pleased with how this reprocessing turned out and am eager to share it with you all!
