What are the 7 sisters constellation Subaru?
The seven sisters refer to the Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation, known in Japan as Subaru and celebrated in the brand’s six-star logo. It is one of the closest and most famous open clusters visible from Earth.
Beyond branding, the Seven Sisters are a nearby open cluster about 440 light-years away, containing thousands of stars. This article explains what the Seven Sisters are, how Subaru uses the cluster in its logo, and what scientists know about this stellar nursery today, including how to observe it and its cultural significance.
What are the Seven Sisters?
The term “Seven Sisters” traditionally refers to the seven bright stars that populate the Pleiades cluster, an open star cluster in Taurus. The cluster’s mythic lineage ties these stars to the Pleiades sisters of Greek mythology: Maia, Electra, Alcyone, Celaeno, Taygeta, Asterope (often given as Sterope II), and Merope. In practice, observers often see six to seven prominent stars with the naked eye, depending on sky conditions.
Seven bright stars commonly associated with the cluster are listed here, using traditional names:
- Maia
- Electra
- Alcyone
- Celaeno
- Taygeta
- Asterope (also called Sterope II)
- Merope
Historically, these names come from classical astronomy and mythology. Modern observations reveal the cluster contains many more stars beyond these seven, all bound by gravity and sharing a common origin around 100 million years ago.
Subaru and the Seven Sisters: The logo vs. the cluster
The brand Subaru intentionally references the Pleiades cluster in its name and branding. In Japanese, Subaru is the name of the star cluster and means “to unite” or “meet together.” The company’s logo, however, features six stars rather than seven. This six-star emblem is widely understood to symbolize the six companies that merged to form Subaru’s parent corporation, rather than the exact seven sisters of the Pleiades myth.
Key points about the logo and its relation to the cluster:
- The Subaru logo shows six stars, inspired by the Pleiades cluster’s starry pattern.
- In Japanese, “Subaru” is the cluster’s name and a metaphor for unity and cooperation.
- Fidelity to the myth varies by culture; in branding, the six-star emblem emphasizes corporate history rather than a literal count of Pleiades’ brightest stars.
For observers and fans, the distinction highlights how an astronomical object can acquire layered meanings in culture, commerce, and art while remaining a genuine celestial landmark.
A quick scientific snapshot of the Pleiades
Researchers studying the Pleiades use data from modern astrometry missions to refine distance estimates and stellar ages. The cluster’s proximity makes it a cornerstone for calibrating cosmic distances and testing models of star formation. The following highlights offer a concise snapshot:
- Distance: about 440–450 light-years from Earth, with Gaia mission data helping refine this value.
- Age: roughly 100 million years, making it a relatively young open cluster.
- Size: the cluster spans about 2–3 degrees across the sky and physically covers roughly 8 light-years in diameter.
- Stars: thousands of stars are gravitationally bound within the cluster; the seven brightest are often used to identify it by eye.
- An observable feature: a faint, extended nebulosity around some stars, and a characteristic blue‑white glow from hot, young stars.
These figures reflect current measurements, including parallax data from Gaia, which improves our understanding of the cluster’s structure and motion within the Milky Way.
How to observe the Seven Sisters
Under dark skies away from city lights, the Pleiades is one of the easiest deep-sky sights to spot. It rises in the eastern sky in late autumn and is prominent in winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere. To maximize visibility:
- Find the cluster in the Taurus constellation, near the bright red giant Aldebaran and the Hyades cluster.
- Use binoculars or a small telescope to distinguish the individual bright stars and the faint haze of the cluster.
- Look for the characteristic “mini-disk” shape created by the seven brightest stars; the cluster is about the width of a fist held at arm’s length.
Keep in mind that light pollution and moon phase can affect visibility. A simple star chart or a sky-watching app can help you locate the cluster in the night sky.
Cultural significance and modern references
Across cultures, the Pleiades has inspired myth, navigation, and seasonal calendars. In Japan, the cluster is associated with Subaru and has deep ties to maritime and agricultural history. In many Indigenous cultures around the world, Matariki (the Pleiades) marks important seasonal changes and communal celebrations. The cluster’s enduring visibility makes it a common motif in art, literature, and science communication today.
As science progresses, the Pleiades continues to serve as a natural laboratory for understanding stellar evolution, cluster dynamics, and the calibration of distance measurements across the cosmos.
Summary
The Seven Sisters are the bright stars of the Pleiades open cluster in Taurus, a nearby stellar nursery about 440 light-years away and roughly 100 million years old. In Japan, the cluster is called Subaru, a name that also underpins the car brand’s logo, which features six stars rather than seven. The cluster’s study helps astronomers calibrate cosmic distances and test models of star formation, while its conspicuous beauty makes it a favorite target for observers worldwide. Whether viewed with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope, the Seven Sisters remain a luminous bridge between myth, culture, and cutting‑edge astronomy.
