Open cluster · Taurus

Mel 25 Hyades

Also known as: C41, Cl 50

mag 0.55.5° across

About

Mel 25, the Hyades, is an open cluster of magnitude 0.5 in Taurus, about 5.5° across.

Mel 25 is in the constellation Taurus.
Best evenings: around mid-January it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 64° S.
Winter Hexagon: The V-shaped cluster around Aldebaran — though Aldebaran itself is a foreground star.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesEasy: a group of stars, even from the suburbs.
Binoculars (10×50)A rich scattering of stars — binoculars often give the best view.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Too big for the field of view — only part fits. Binoculars show it better.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	Mel 25, C41, Cl 50
Type	Open cluster
Magnitude	0.5The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	5.5°the full Moon is 31′ across
Constellation	Taurus
Right ascension (J2000)	04h 26m 54.0s
Declination (J2000)	+15° 52′ 00″