The Pleiades, also known as M45, is one of the most recognizable open star clusters in the night sky. Located about 440 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, this young cluster is dominated by hot, blue B-type stars that illuminate the surrounding wisps of interstellar dust. These reflection nebulae create the characteristic blue glow, a result of fine dust scattering the starlight. While the cluster itself is estimated to be around 100 million years old, the nebulosity is not a remnant of its formation but rather a passing interstellar cloud through which the stars are currently moving.

Captured from Biars-sur-Cère, Occitanie, France, under moderate sky conditions, this image reveals the intricate interplay of light and dust surrounding the Pleiades. High dynamic range processing preserves the delicate filamentary structures of the reflection nebula while maintaining the contrast between the bright stars and the dark interstellar medium. The deep exposure also highlights faint surrounding gas, offering a glimpse into the complex environment of this stellar nursery.