The Pleiades: Nature's annual eyesight test is here

The Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, is rising prominently in the evening sky. This open cluster in Taurus sits about 444 light-years away and contains hundreds of stars, with only a handful typically visible to the naked eye. The cluster is exceptionally young at just 100 million years old, making them cosmic newborns compared to our 4.6-billion-year-old sun.

For astronomy enthusiasts, counting visible stars in the Pleiades serves as a fun, informal test of both eyesight and sky conditions rather than actual eye health. The number you can spot depends on preparation, light pollution, and atmospheric clarity, not just on the name 'Seven Sisters.' This celestial event provides a perfect opportunity to step outside, look east after dark, and reconnect with one of the night sky's most accessible and beautiful wonders.