NASA’s TESS Triples the Known Size of the Pleiades
Astronomers have just pulled off a cosmic magic trick. Using data from NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), researchers have tripled the known size of the famous Pleiades star cluster in the northern sky. If you thought the Seven Sisters were just seven, think again! This new discovery means there are many more stars packed into this glittering cluster than we ever realized.
Rewriting the Textbooks on Stellar Clusters
The TESS spacecraft, launched to hunt for exoplanets, has become an accidental hero for star cluster science. By gathering precise light data, TESS revealed that the Pleiades cluster contains far more stars than previously catalogued. Astronomers now have to update their charts and textbooks. Who knew stargazing could be this surprising? It’s like the universe keeps hiding Easter eggs for us to find.
This discovery will inspire new research into how star clusters evolve. It also reminds us that, while the night sky may look familiar, it’s still full of surprises. So next time you look up and spot the Pleiades, remember: you’re seeing just the tip of a cosmic iceberg!