The Hyades (aka Caldwell 41) and Pleiades (aka Messier 45 or M45). Jupiter peeking out behind the tree branch, just underneath the little faint triangle of 53, 51, 56 stars in Taurus. I quite like the dainty, tiny stars. Can easily see Pleione above Atlas; Celaeno between Taygeta and Electra. Is Merope a variable star? Seems much dimmer than Taygeta. Maybe it was behind a tree branch. I can even make out Asterope at mag 5.8. As well as HIP 17900 and 17832 below Atlas at mag 6.2 and 6.5 respectively. Love θ (theta) 1 and 2 in head of the Bull.
That glow at the bottom centre? Bloody Moon, that's what!
I re-framed. Wanted to capture the gas giant near the large open cluster.
View rotated 90°. The Hyades and Jupiter on the left; ζ (zeta) Tauri and El Nath on the right.
I think I forgot to zoom out mechanically with the lens. Forgot to do a lot of things... It says 55mm in the EXIF data, if that means anything. I found the focusing "touchy." It would shift as I let go.
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Some further analyses of the photos... Turns out that θ 2 Tau (on the left) is considered the primary star in a double star system where θ 1 is the secondary. Which I will need to add to the double star life list (if it is not already there). 2 is slightly brighter than 1.
North-east (or above) of θ 2 and 1 is the double star HR 1427. It's companion is HD 28568 which is barely visible in the photo. Which is a bit strange. SkyTools 3 Pro says that A is magnitude 4.8 while B is approx. 6.6. The separation is slightly less than θ 2 and 1. Also the position angle is almost opposite; the primary is on the right.
Also, to the left of Aldebaran is the pair of σ (sigma) 1 and 2. Like θ duo, the number 2 star is the primary. The 2 star is somewhat brighter than 1.
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Wikipedia link: Pleiades.
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