M46 and M47

Higher resolution image

Image information:

Date: 02/05/2011
Equipment: QSI583ws with internal filter wheel and Astronomik type 2c LRGB filter set through AT65EDQ telescope on Losmandy GM8 mount.
Image type: LRGB
Exposure time: 9X6min Luminance binned 1X1, RG&B 8X4min each binned 2X2
Comment:  

Object information:

Object designations:
  • M46, NGC2437
  • M47, NGC2422
  • NGC 2423
Object type:
 Open clusters
Object size:
  • M46 - 27'
  • M47 - 30'
  • NGC2423 - 12'
Constellation: Puppis
Comment:

M46 is a rich open cluster containing several hundred stars within its diameter of about 30ly. M46 is around 300 million years old and it is some 5000ly distant from us. NGC2438 is a planetary nebula visible within M46 boundaries, but it is not a true member of the cluster. M47 is not as rich as M46, it is a loose cluster containing some 50 stars in diameter of 12ly. Its age is only about 78 million years, and it is 1600ly distant. NGC 2423 is a less prominent cluster located just north of M47, which contains about 40 stars.

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List of related images:

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