Welcome to Learn the Sky, your online resource for learning about the stars and constellations.
Welcome! My name is Janine and in this video we're going to discuss the Beehive Cluster
also known as Messier 44. It's located in the constellation known as Cancer the Crab and it
really has a rich history surrounding it. So, as you take a look at this photo what
stands out to you? For me, my eye is immediately drawn to this beautiful star cluster right here
and that's what we're going to examine today. It's often nicknamed the Beehive Cluster, but it's also
designated as Messier Object 44. When I'm trying to find Cancer this is the the one thing in this
constellation that really stands out to me. Cancer itself is a fairly dim constellation. Most of the
stars are only of fourth magnitude, so you really need some dark skies away from light pollution in
order to see it. I do have a whole video with how to find Cancer, so be sure to go check out that
video to get lots of practice with identifying Cancer. We're going to focus on Messier 44.
This is the Beehive Star Cluster. I very distinctly remember the first time I saw this.
I was wondering what it was. It was kind of like a little fuzzy patch in the sky
that I was able to see between two constellations between Gemini and Leo.
So I was using my star charts trying to figure out what is that thing right there. At the time,
I was looking at it using a pair of binoculars. I was able to identify it and with my star chart
I figured out this is Messier Object 44. So, the best ways to find Messier 44 located, right here,
is to use Gemini. Gemini has two bright stars in the head of this constellation,
or the heads, I should say. They represent the heads of the twins. We have Pollux and Castor.
Then you can also use Canis Minor, at least, that's one way. Sometimes I use the constellation
of Leo to help me find this constellation as well, but it's the star pattern doesn't
really stand out to me, it is the star cluster. So if we take a look at the star map right here.
Here you have Cancer. Messier 44 is like right in the middle of this rectangular boundary.
There is another star cluster here known as Messier 67. This is also an open star cluster,
but it's not as bright as the Beehive Cluster. So let's see if we can take a closer look
Messier 44, as I said, is the Beehive Cluster. It's classified as an open star cluster.
So, what does that even mean? Well, I do have a whole video on that subject so be sure to
check it out in the link listed below. Open star clusters are defined by the stars being
usually young of age. Also, they don't have a definitive shape. They're also mostly young
blue stars. This particular cluster is estimated to be 515 light years away. It contains about 50 stars,
the brightest which are about six magnitude. So it is possible to see this with the unaided eye, but
if you have any form of magnification whether it be a set of binoculars or a telescope, I encourage
you to look at this constellation. It is really really beautiful to see. It has a variety of
names. So far I've used these two names, but it has also been called Praesepe which is Latin for manger
and it's also been called the Gate of Men. So, where did this name come from, the Gate of Men?
Some ancients thought that when they were looking at this particular star cluster they were looking
at a thin spot in the floor of Heaven. They called it the Gate of Men. It was said that through
this hole, souls descended to the Earth to be born. So that's a really beautiful picture that
I have in my mind as I think about this particular star cluster. Now I know this video is focusing in
on Messier 44, but I do want to talk a little bit about Messier 67. This is another star cluster.
This one's a little bit further away which would make sense why it's a little bit dimmer.
It's estimated to be 2,700 light years away. It's kind of next to this. I like to think of
it as the foot of the crab, but this is actually supposed to be maybe one of the claws of the crab.
So, you know, all of us have our own perceptions of what the constellations
look like. This is about the size of the full moon, so about 0.5 square degrees.
It has about 200 stars and the brightest which are of 10th magnitude. So you would need magnification
in order to see this constellation. Going back to our Beehive Cluster, I wanted to share
with you a little piece of history that I found out while learning about it. So Praesepe,
which is another name for the Beehive Cluster, played an important role in the history of
astronomy. Galileo was the first to turn his telescope to this fuzzy patch in the sky
and he was delighted to discover that it was a star cluster. The discovery of this
star cluster along with so many other observations made by Galileo really became the catalyst to
the scientific revolution. The ideas about the universe that were laid out by Aristotle so many
years ago began to shift and change once Galileo changed the old beliefs with his new observations.
Every time you look up in the sky and see this star cluster, you can understand and know
its rich history. That Galileo looked at this at this particular part of the sky
and it started to change the way we thought about the universe as we knew it at that time.
Before I wrap up this video about Messier 44 there's a technique I'd like to share with you
called averted vision. This is when instead of looking directly at an object
what you want to do is look to the side of an object to have it
be a little more clear as you're looking at it. Averted vision is a technique that you can use to
view these faint objects. What you're doing is you're using your peripheral vision you look
to the side of the object instead of directly at it. If we break down the anatomy of a human eye,
in this region, this is where we have lots of cone cells. Your cone cells are color
detecting cells. On the sides of your eye, here and here, there's a higher concentration of rod
cells. Rod cells are light detecting cells. So, even Aristotle himself has documented that
he used this technique to look at celestial objects in the sky. As you're looking at
these fuzzy little patches in the sky, instead of directly looking at it, look to the side of it and
the object may come across with a little bit more clarity then as if you're looking directly at it.
Try using this technique when you're looking at any type of celestial objects, not just this one.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Beehive Cluster also called the Gate of Men, Praesepe, or
Messier 44. It really is just a beautiful object to see. It's the object I look
for when I'm trying to identify Cancer the Crab constellation. Remember it takes time, patience
and practice to identify the constellations and objects that are within those star patterns.
I wish you clear skies and keep looking up! If you're new to this channel, be sure to
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to learn about the sky, in greater detail be sure to visit my website. I've got some freebies for you
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