How far is the Hyades star cluster from the Sun?
The Hyades cluster sits about 153 light-years from the Sun. This proximity allows astronomers to measure its distance directly using parallax shifts as Earth orbits our star.
Questions about Hyades (star cluster)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the age of the Hyades open cluster in Taurus?
At an age of 625 million years, the core holds stars with at least one solar mass. Eight white dwarfs exist within the central region, marking the end stage of original B-type stars.
Who described the Hyades stars on Achilles' shield in ancient literature?
Homer described these stars alongside the Pleiades on Achilles' shield in Book 18 of the Iliad. Ancient observers knew the cluster as the April Rainers during English spring showers.
When did Giovanni Battista Hodierna catalog the Hyades cluster?
Giovanni Battista Hodierna cataloged it in 1654 though Charles Messier omitted it from his 1781 list. Greek mythology transformed five weeping sisters into stars after their brother Hyas died.
How many exoplanets have been found orbiting stars in the Hyades cluster so far?
Five stars in total have been found to host exoplanets so far. Another star named HD 283869 may also hold a planet but only one transit has been detected.