drewmixdrip.com

Let’s talk about the Pleiades—aka the Seven Sisters, a tight little group of stars that’s been
fascinating stargazers for thousands of years. Whether you’ve spotted them in the winter sky or
while scrolling through your telescope app, these glittery blue stars have a story that’s part
myth, part mystery, and all vibes.

Who Are the Pleiades?

The Pleiades is a star cluster located in the constellation Taurus. It’s made up of hot, young
blue stars—and you can usually see 6 or 7 of them with the naked eye (even more with
binoculars).
But long before telescopes were a thing, people from all over the world were already telling
stories about this little star group.

Enter the Greek Myth

In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the titan Atlas and the ocean
nymph Pleione. Their names were:
Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope.
(Yes, they sound like a celestial girl group.)
So here’s the drama: after Atlas was forced to hold up the sky (rude), the hunter Orion started
chasing his daughters across the Earth. Creepy, right? To protect them, Zeus transformed the
sisters into stars and placed them in the sky. But—plot twist—Orion was also turned into a
constellation, doomed to chase them forever across the night sky.
Talk about a cosmic restraining order.

Where’s the Seventh Sister?

Now, this is where things get extra interesting. Most people can only see six stars with the
naked eye. The seventh? It’s kinda… shy. Some say it’s Merope, who dimmed her light out of
shame for falling in love with a mortal. Others say she’s just hiding.
This mystery gave birth to the term “the lost Pleiad,” and it’s become a poetic symbol for things
that are missing, hidden, or just barely out of reach.

Not Just a Myth—Also Science!

Here’s the cool part: the Pleiades are a real star cluster, around 100 million years old, located
about 444 light-years from Earth. Astronomers believe the stars were born from the same gas
cloud and are still gravitationally bound together—basically a celestial family reunion that
never ends.
And yep, those stars are moving. Over millions of years, the cluster will slowly drift apart. So
we’re lucky to catch them now, in their youthful, glittery glory.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re into Greek myths, deep space, or just love a good sibling story, the Pleiades is a
sky object with style and substance. It’s a cluster of stars that speaks to beauty, mystery, escape,
and sisterhood—and it reminds us that even in space, legends linger.
So next time you’re out stargazing, look for that small, shimmering patch in Taurus. The sisters
are still running. And Orion? Still chasing.