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Alcyone

Eta Tauri, 25 Tauri

Proper NameAlcyone
Bayer DesignationEta Tauri
Flamsteed Number25 Tauri
HR (BSC)1165
HD23630
ConstellationTaurus
Right Ascension3h 47m 29s
Declination+24° 6' 18"
Distance403 light years
124 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +2.86
Absolute: -2.60
Spectral ClassB7IIIe blue giant
Optimum VisibilityNovember / December
NotesThe brightest star in the Pleiades cluster; an eclipsing binary composed of two blue giants, around which three further dwarf stars orbit

Alcyone is the brightest of the Pleiades, one of the most prominent open clusters in the sky. The stars of the cluster are currently embedded in a network of nebulous material, which is illuminated from within by Alcyone and its accompanying crowd of hot blue stars. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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