M45 - The pleides star cluster
			The Pleiades star cluster rides high in the winter sky on early winter evenings. Frequently confused with the little dipper, it is sometimes referred to as "the baby dipper". It stands out as six easily visible blue stars, but ancients referred to this cluster as "the seven sisters". It's a great visual test to try and see the seven bright stars of this cluster, but usually the seventh is only visible under very dark skies and with very acute vision. However, long exposure photography reveals quite a different story, this cluster has about 500 blue stars and is engulfed in reflection nebulosity, clearly reflected in this photograph as the swaths of blue around the brighter stars. This photograph was taken December 1st 2005. Technical Data Scope: 105mm Astrophysics Traveler Guiding: ST4 Camera: Canon 20d Composition: 6 10 minute exposures registered in registar and stacked in photoshop Filters: none