images

Star cluster M47 in Puppis

by

V.Toporenko/DSS/Novapix

Reference

a-aou24-22002

Date

2007-03-24

M47 (NGC 2422) is an open cluster in the constellation Puppis, and was known to several observers before being independently discovered by Messier. A coarse bright cluster of some 50 stars, it can be seen by the suitably primed naked eye at a good dark location, as a dim fuzzy spot. About 1600 light-years away, it is spread over an area about that of the full moon (30 arc minutes across), or some 14 light-years linearly.