What is the estimated age range of the stars in the Pleiades cluster?

Prepare for the Science Olympiad Reach for the Stars Test. Focus on flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Master your astronomy knowledge!

The Pleiades cluster, often referred to as the "Seven Sisters," is an open star cluster located in the constellation Taurus. The estimated age of the stars in the Pleiades is approximately 75 to 150 million years. This relatively young age is characteristic of open clusters, which typically contain hot, bright stars that are still in the early stages of their stellar lifecycle.

The age is determined through various methods, including stellar models and the study of the cluster's main sequence turn-off point, which provides insight into the ages of the stars. In an open cluster like the Pleiades, the more massive stars evolve more rapidly. Being able to observe the lifetime and evolutionary stages of those stars informs astronomers about the cluster's overall age.

Having a younger age, such as in the range of 75 to 150 million years, places the Pleiades within the category of relatively new star formations. In contrast, other options indicating an age of 5-10 million years or significantly older ages like 200-300 million years and 500 million years do not correspond with the observed characteristics of the stars in this cluster as determined by their spectral types and evolutionary stages.

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