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From: William Hyde <wthyde1953@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
Subject: Re: Meet the new neighbors: The solar system expands.
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:59:57 -0400
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Cryptoengineer wrote:
> On 9/11/2024 3:53 PM, D wrote:
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 11 Sep 2024, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
>>
>>> https://scitechdaily.com/astronomers-stunned-by-unexpected-discovery- 
>>> of-new-celestial-bodies-in-the-outer-solar-system/
>>>
>>>     Astronomers Stunned by Unexpected Discovery of New Celestial
>>>     Bodies in the Outer Solar System
>>>
>>>     Using the Subaru Telescope, astronomers have identified
>>>     previously unknown celestial bodies in the outer Solar
>>>     System, suggesting a larger, unexplored expanse that parallels
>>>     other planetary systems.
>>>
>>>     These findings, including a possible second ring of Kuiper
>>>     Belt Objects, could reshape our understanding of planetary
>>>     formation and potentially boost the chances of discovering
>>>     extraterrestrial life by revealing a more extensive and
>>>     typical structure of our Solar System compared to others.
>>>     Discovery of New Objects in the Outer Solar System
>>>
>>>     Observations of the outer Solar System with the Subaru
>>>     Telescope have discovered new bodies where none were expected.
>>>     The new objects are likely members of a much larger population
>>>     waiting to be discovered. This discovery has profound
>>>     implications for our understanding of the structure and
>>>     history of the Solar System.
>>>
>>
>> Ahh... so Subaru expanded from cars to telescopes! And planet X might 
>> exist after all. ;)
> 
> The car company has nothing to do with the telescope.
> 
> The telescope is at Mauna Kea, but is owned by the National Observatory
> of Japan.
> 
> The Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster is 'Subaru'. Try looking
> at a Subaru car badge sometime, and you'll see the star cluster.
> 
> Despite being known as the 'seven sisters', the logo has only six stars.
> This matches what is actually naked eye visible now. When the cluster
> acquired that name, seven were visible, but proper motion has since
> moved two of them too close to resolve.

When I first read about this cluster sixty years ago my reference said 
that people with "exceptionally good eyesight" could still distinguish 
seven stars.

Was this true sixty years ago, or could my source possibly have 
uncritically quoted some older work written when this was true?
Or was it just nonsense?

There was no point in testing it myself - I was pleased that I could see 
six stars.

At the moment, I can't think of much SF that involves this cluster.


William Hyde