Observer's Notes: It's somewhat of a mystery why this conspicuous open cluster was cataloged in Messier's list of "comet like objects." Even from the light polluted suburbs of modern day America the Pleiades is visible as a small cluster of individual stars. Binoculars give you a closer view and also bring out fainter members of the cluster not visible to the eye alone. A rich field telescope is recommended, in order to fit the entire cluster into the field.