T Tauri is a variable star in the constellation Taurus, the prototype of the T Tauri stars. It was discovered in October 1852 by John Russell Hind. T Tauri appears from Earth amongst the Hyades cluster, not far from ε Tauri, but it is actually 420 light-years behind it and not a member of the cluster. The cloud to the west of the system is NGC 1555, known more commonly as Hind's Variable Nebula.
The star T Tauri with NGC 1555 cloud nearby.
A widefield image showing the reflection nebula and clouds of dust. Credit: Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona.
Taurus is one of the constellations of the zodiac and is located in the northern celestial hemisphere. Taurus is a large and prominent constellation in the Northern Hemisphere's winter sky. It is one of the oldest constellations, dating back to the Early Bronze Age at least, when it marked the location of the Sun during the spring equinox. Its importance to the agricultural calendar influenced various bull figures in the mythologies of Ancient Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Its old astronomical symbol is (♉︎), which resembles a bull's head.
The constellation Taurus as it can be seen by the naked eye. The constellation lines have been added for clarity.
HP Tauri, a T Tauri variable star and triple system
Central area of constellation Taurus, showing Aldebaran at the lower left.
IRAS 05437+2502, a nebula
