The Pleiades, cataloged as Messier 45, are a nearby open star cluster in Taurus. The brightest members are hot, blue, and relatively young. Because the cluster is easy to see without a telescope, it has been observed and named by cultures across the world.
A cluster, not a constellation
A constellation is a defined region or visual pattern in the sky. The Pleiades are a physical group of stars that formed from the same broad stellar nursery and move through the galaxy together.
Why they look misty
Long-exposure images reveal blue reflection nebulosity. Dust scatters the light of the bright stars, producing the cluster’s characteristic luminous haze.
Observing
Use the naked eye first, then binoculars. High magnification is often unnecessary because the cluster spans a broad patch of sky.
This article separates established astronomical information from cultural tradition and modern metaphysical interpretation.