11. Taurus(The Bull)

 Taurus
The Bull

Sharpness

Bright Jupiter in Taurus

 I once asked Sisask,  "What is your favorite constellation?"  He said that he loves all of them,  so it was hard to choose,  but if he had to pick one,  it would be Taurus.

 This image showcases the powerful glow of Jupiter, framed by the two horns of Taurus the Bull.  Right where its face would be,  we see the Hyades Star Cluster,  and at the top right corner is the famous Pleiades Star Cluster.  The star at the tip of the right horn is connected to the constellation Auriga,  while near the tip of the left horn is M1 (the Crab Nebula).  Below Taurus lies Orion,  and on the far left,  you can see Gemini.  Just gazing at this image,  you can see how fascinating the region of Taurus is,  with its two magnificent star clusters.  It's easy to understand why Sisask named it as his favorite.

 

   The cluster of blue stars on the left is the Pleiades Star Cluster, while the area surrounding the orange star on the far right (Aldebaran) is the Hyades Star Cluster. The name Aldebaran comes from Arabic, meaning "the follower," as it is said to follow the Pleiades. In this image, it truly looks as if it is trailing behind them.

  There is a suite dedicated to The Pleiades included in "Northern Sky", so I will write about it in detail at that time. For now, let's take a closer look at the Hyades Star Cluster.




 This image clearly shows the Hyades Star Cluster along with Aldebaran. A blue comet can be seen flying in the upper left corner. The Hyades Star Cluster is approximately 150 light-years from Earth, while Aldebaran, the bright orange Alpha star of Taurus, is only 65 light-years away. Because of this difference in distance, Aldebaran appears to have a sense of depth in relation to the cluster.



  The Crab Nebula, located 6,500 light-years from Earth and recorded as the first entry in the Messier Catalog (M1), is the remnant of a supernova, no longer a single star.  supernova is a cataclysmic explosion that occurs when a massive star reaches the end of its life. The term comes from the fact that, when such an explosion occurs, the star suddenly shines brightly in the night sky, appearing as if a new star has been born.  The massive star that once existed at the core of the Crab Nebula exploded in 1054, and historical records from China describe it as a bright star that suddenly appeared on July 4th and remained visible for two years, shining as brightly as Venus.

  Sisask's image for Taurus is "Sharpness."

  The region of Taurus is rich with fascinating stars, particularly Aldebaran, which is relatively close to Earth, and the Pleiades, whose blue rays appear vividly even to the naked eye, radiating a sense of strength. The V-shaped horns of Taurus also convey an impression of sharpness. Furthermore, the presence of the Crab Nebula serves as a reminder that stars undergo explosions—that birth and death exist in the universe as well.

  Sisask's music for Taurus is filled with a blazing energy from start to finish, with sharp, rhythmic precision that creates a sense of urgency, almost as if increasing one's heartbeat. The dazzling, vivid rays of color emitted by the stars seem to flash and scatter throughout the space. Despite the overwhelming imagery evoked by NASA’s images, the piece is surprisingly short, lasting less than a minute and a half. Yet, this brevity only enhances its impact, leaving a powerful and lasting impression.


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