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From the WP article, under "Folklore and Mythology": "Some Greek astronomers considered them to be a distinct constellation, and they are mentioned by Hesiod's
by SkittyDog 6y ago
From the WP article, under "Folklore and Mythology": "Some Greek astronomers considered them to be a distinct constellation, and they are mentioned by Hesiod's Works and Day..." (emphasis mine) So it would appear that they are both. FWIW, I have no idea if there is some astronomical technical jargon distinction between "constellation" and "cluster" that inspires your comment. But to this layman, your correction comes across as pedantix and unnecessary. The term "constellation" is clearly valid, here, as common everyday English is spoken.
- cedilla 6y agoThere is a difference: a constellation is an area of the sky where some stars appear to belong together to form an image. Their actual distance may be vast. A cluster on the other hand actually is a group of stars that formed from the same material and are thus very close to each other. So there is a difference, but it's only a problem to interchange the terms the other way round.
- macintux 6y agoGiven that the Pleiades are, I believe, the only cluster in the sky large enough to act as a constellation, it's certainly not irrational to treat them as both. A cluster could be treated as a constellation, but not vice versa.
- sellyme 6y agoThis is exactly what the comment you are replying to said.
- SkittyDog 6y agoWhile I'm glad to be educated about the technical definition, it's still not even remotely relevant. The point is to whether the commonplace usage is worthy of correction... In this case, the correction adds nothing of value to the discussion. It struck me as a rude, self-aggrandizing gesture by an adult who should know better.