The Pleiades, also known as M45 or the Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster located in the constellation Taurus. Situated about 444 light-years from Earth, it is one of the closest star clusters to our solar system and easily visible to the naked eye. The Pleiades contains over 1,000 stars, though only a handful are visible without telescopes. The brightest stars in the cluster are hot blue giants that illuminate the surrounding interstellar dust, creating a distinctive, misty glow. Estimated to be around 100 million years old, the Pleiades is a relatively young cluster, with stars still enveloped by remnants of the nebula from which they formed. This iconic cluster has been observed by cultures worldwide and holds significant mythological importance.