Nebulosity around Pleiades stars

[virgil1612]

Hello,

I'm curious about the origin of the nebulosity that can be seen around the main stars in the open cluster Pleiades (M45). Is it a residual of the huge cloud from which these stars were born not so long ago (astronomically), or it just happens that these stars pass through an interstellar cloud, which then reflects their light.

Thanks,
Virgil.

 

[phyzguy]

Well, according to Wikipedia:
"The cluster is dominated by hot blue and extremely luminous stars that have formed within the last 100 million years. Dust that forms a faint reflection nebulosity around the brightest stars was thought at first to be left over from the formation of the cluster (hence the alternative name Maia Nebula after the star Maia), but is now known to be an unrelated dust cloud in the interstellar medium, through which the stars are currently passing. "

 

[virgil1612]

Well, according to Wikipedia:
"The cluster is dominated by hot blue and extremely luminous stars that have formed within the last 100 million years. Dust that forms a faint reflection nebulosity around the brightest stars was thought at first to be left over from the formation of the cluster (hence the alternative name Maia Nebula after the star Maia), but is now known to be an unrelated dust cloud in the interstellar medium, through which the stars are currently passing. "

Thanks phyzguy, I guess I should have checked the net myself before asking.