The Pleiades Controversy Erupts Again

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New measurements regarding the distance to the Pleiades have intensified the ongoing debate rather than resolving it. The controversy centers around competing parallax measurements taken from Earth and a satellite, both of which are typically reliable. Current parallax measurements have achieved a remarkable 1.5% uncertainty. The situation is further complicated by the anticipation of another satellite mission that could provide additional data. This renewed interest highlights the complexities of astronomical distance measurement.
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New measurements claim to resolve the controversy over the distance to the Pleiades but have in fact only reignited the debate. See reports at Nature and Science.
 
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It boils down to a competition between a couple of parallax measurements. One on the Earth and another by a satellite. Both by methods highly reliable in every other instance. Thus it is quite intreguing.
It's interesting enough that parralax measurements are down to 1.5% uncertainty.
The gripping hand is that there's another satellite coming.
 

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