images

Open cluster M46 with Planetary Nebula NGC 2438 in Puppis

by

K.A. Lecky Hepburn/Novapix

Reference

a-aou24-37008

Date

2009-10-23

M46 (NGC 2437) is at a distance of about 5,400 light-years away from Earth with an estimated age of about 300 million years. It contains about 500 stars of which 150 are bright. Planetary nebula NGC 2438 (middle bottom) doesn't seem to belong to the cluster.