M 46


80%  resolution (4.1MB)

Object identification (4.1MB)


Object data of M46

Object type: Open star cluster (II2r)
Size: 27'
Magnitude: 6.1mag
Constellation: Pup
Distance: 5,000 Ly
   
Notes: Messier 46 is a rich star cluster in the constellation Puppis. There are an estimated 500 stars in the cluster, and it is thought to be some 300 million years old. As a special and famous feature which is also obvious in the above image, a planetary nebula (NGC 2438) appears within the apparent borders of M46. This nebula is most probably not a true member but is superimposed, or perhaps a passing guest.

To the north of NGC 2438 another small and faint planetary nebula (M 1-18) is visible in the above image.


Exposure data

Date: 2017-11-18 + 2017-11-19
Location: ATHOS Centro Astronomico / La Palma (900m)
Telescope: Astro-Physics 175mm f/8 Starfire EDF with field flattener (f=1452mm)
Camera: Moravian G4-16000 with Baader filters
Binning: L 1x1 / RGB 1x1
Mount: 10micron GM3000 HPS
Exposure time: L 14x2min / R 7x2min / G 7x2min / B 7x2min
Exposure time total: 1h 10min
   
Notes:

Image acquisition by CEDIC team (Bernhard Hubl, Christoph Kaltseis, Markus Blauensteiner)

Image processing by Bernhard Hubl


 

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