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The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is a famous star cluster located in the constellation of Taurus. It is made up of a group of seven bright stars that are visible to the naked eye in the night sky. The stars in the Pleiades cluster are relatively young, being only about 100 million years old, which is young in astronomical terms. The Pleiades cluster has been observed and admired by cultures all around the world for thousands of years. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were seven sisters who were pursued by the hunter Orion. To protect them, Zeus transformed them into stars, forming the star cluster we see today. Different cultures have their own stories and legends associated with the Pleiades, making it a fascinating object of study for astronomers and a source of inspiration for artists and storytellers. The Pleiades cluster is often used as a test of eyesight, as people are challenged to count how many stars they can see with the naked eye. Most people can see six or seven stars, but those with particularly sharp vision may be able to see more. The Pleiades is also a popular target for amateur astronomers with telescopes, as the cluster reveals even more stars and details when viewed through a telescope. In addition to being a beautiful sight in the night sky, the Pleiades cluster also serves a practical purpose for astronomers. By studying the stars in the Pleiades, scientists can learn more about how stars form and evolve, as well as gain insights into the structure and composition of the Milky Way galaxy. The Pleiades cluster continues to be an important object of study for astronomers, both amateur and professional, and its beauty and significance will continue to capture the imaginations of people for generations to come. Matariki is the Maori name for the Pleiades star cluster. The Pleiades is a group of stars that can be seen in the night sky, and Matariki is a special time of year when the star cluster is visible in the sky. In Maori culture, Matariki is seen as the beginning of the Maori New Year, and it is a time to celebrate and give thanks for the past year and look forward to the year ahead. So basically, Matariki is related to the Pleiades because it is a special time of year when those stars are visible in the sky and it has cultural significance for the Maori people. The Pleiades star cluster is known by different names in various cultures around the world. Here are some of the names by which the Pleiades are referred to in different countries: 1. Maori culture in New Zealand and Polynesia: Matariki 2. Greek mythology: The Seven Sisters 3. Japan: Subaru 4. Native American tribes: The Dancers or The Little Eyes 5. Inca civilization: Collca 6. Ancient Persia: Parvin 7. India: Krittika 8. Aboriginal Australians: The Seven Sisters or Djulpan These different names reflect the diverse cultural significance and interpretations of the Pleiades cluster in various societies throughout history.

Quiz by Tracey Pickford

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10 questions
Show answers
  • Q1
    In Greek mythology, what were the Pleiades transformed into by Zeus to become stars?
    Warriors
    Hunters
    Mermaids
    Seven Sisters
    30s
  • Q2
    What is the Maori name for the Pleiades star cluster?
    Matariki
    Subaru
    Parvin
    Collca
    30s
  • Q3
    What is the age of the stars in the Pleiades cluster?
    100 million years old
    10 million years old
    500 million years old
    1 billion years old
    30s
  • Q4
    Which culture refers to the Pleiades star cluster as 'The Little Eyes'?
    Ancient Persia
    India
    Native American tribes
    Inca civilization
    30s
  • Q5
    What is the significance of Matariki in Maori culture?
    It is a time for harvesting crops
    It is a celebration of the summer solstice
    It marks the end of winter
    It is seen as the beginning of the Maori New Year
    30s
  • Q6
    What did Zeus do to protect the Pleiades from the hunter Orion in Greek mythology?
    Sent them to another galaxy
    Turned them into animals
    Made them invisible
    Transformed them into stars
    30s
  • Q7
    Which constellation is home to the famous star cluster known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters?
    Leo
    Ursa Major
    Orion
    Taurus
    30s
  • Q8
    What is the name given to the Pleiades star cluster in Japan?
    Krittika
    Subaru
    The Dancers
    The Seven Sisters
    30s
  • Q9
    Which ancient civilization referred to the Pleiades star cluster as 'Collca'?
    Djulpan
    Parvin
    The Seven Sisters
    Inca civilization
    30s
  • Q10
    What is the Aboriginal Australian name for the Pleiades star cluster?
    The Dancers
    The Seven Sisters
    Krittika
    Matariki
    30s

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