by Paul Winalski » Tue Jul 15, 2025 10:29 am
Not just artistic license. In Greek mythology the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the titan Atlas (the one who holds up the sky) and Pleione (their name means "daughters of Pleione"). They appear in the sky as the naked-eye-visible star cluster that marks the shoulder of Taurus the Bull. Most folks can see only the six brightest stars in this cluster without artificial aid, especially when you factor in modern light pollution. Those with good night vision can see seven or eight. I've heard that the record is fourteen.
The seventh brightest star in the cluster--the one many folks can't see--represents Merope, the youngest of the sisters. She married a mortal, Sisyphus (of rock-rolling fame), whereas all of her sisters married gods. Because of this she hides her face in shame. Hence of the seven sisters in Taurus, only six can usually be seen. So the Subaru logo is an accurate depiction of how most folks see the Pleiades.
J. K. Rowling was fond of using names from Astronomy for characters in the Harry Potter stories. Thus Sirius and Regulus Black, Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy. The mother of Lord Voldemort was named Merope Gaunt.
-Paul W.
