What are the names of the Subaru Star cluster?
The Subaru Star cluster is the Pleiades star cluster, officially designated Messier 45 (M45). It is also known as Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, and Matariki.
Located about 440 light-years from Earth in the constellation Taurus, the Pleiades is one of the nearest open clusters and a prominent feature in winter skies for northern observers. In branding, Subaru uses a six-star representation of this cluster in its logo, linking corporate imagery to the sky’s familiar cluster.
Identity and naming
Below are the widely used names for this cluster across science catalogs, languages, and cultural traditions.
Common names and catalog designations
- Pleiades — English common name for the star cluster
- Messier 45 (M45) — designation in the Messier catalog
- The Seven Sisters — traditional English name referencing Greek mythology
- Matariki — Māori name for the cluster
- Subaru Star Cluster — branding reference used in Subaru's logo and marketing
These terms refer to the same astronomical object, used in different contexts and by different audiences.
Branding and cultural context
Subaru’s logo features six stars, a stylized nod to the cluster, which has helped popularize the term “Subaru Star Cluster” in consumer contexts. Astronomically, scientists typically refer to it as the Pleiades or M45.
Summary
The Subaru Star Cluster centers on the Pleiades, with key names including Pleiades, Messier 45 (M45), The Seven Sisters, Matariki, and Subaru Star Cluster. Each name reflects a different tradition or usage, from scientific catalogs to cultural nomenclature and corporate branding.
What does Pleiades mean for Subaru?
While the Pleiades, in Greek mythology, was a group of seven sisters, only six of the sister stars that make up the constellation are easily visible from Earth. So, the six stars represent the six companies that merged to form Subaru.
Why does Subaru use the Pleiades?
In Japan, the Pleiades star cluster is significant not only in astronomy but also in traditional Japanese culture. It's associated with the changing of seasons and agricultural cycles, representing renewal and growth, which is reflected in Subaru's focus on continual innovation and progress.
What are the Subaru stars called?
“SUBARU” signifies a Japanese word meaning “unite,” as well as a term identifying a cluster of six stars, which the Greeks called the Pleiades – part of the Taurus constellation.
PDF
What is the cluster of stars called?
Two main types of star clusters can be distinguished: globular clusters, tight groups of ten thousand to millions of old stars which are gravitationally bound; and open clusters, less tight groups of stars, generally containing fewer than a few hundred members.
