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Open star cluster

The Hyades

Also Caldwell 41 · Melotte 25

Open in OuranosCompare its size

The nearest known open star cluster, a V-shaped group forming the face of Taurus the Bull.

Measured

Distance
153 light-years
Size
about 20 light-years across (approximate)
Constellation
Taurus
Position (J2000)
RA 4h 27m 00s, Dec +15.87°

How far, from the Sun

153 light-years. To cross it:

  • Light153 years
  • Voyager 1's speed2.72 million years
  • Driving at 100 km/h1.65 billion years

Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.

Facts

  • At about 153 light years, it is usually counted as the nearest open cluster to the Sun.
  • It is about 625 million years old.
  • Bright Aldebaran sits in front of it but is not a member; it is less than half as far.

Where this comes from

  • Lodieu et al. 2019, A&A 623, A35, Gaia DR2 (47.03 ± 0.20 pc)

Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.