Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438

by: A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix
Reference: a-aou24-37005
Date: 2007-04-10

M46 (NGC 2437) is a rich open star cluster in the constellation Puppis. Within a diameter of 28 arc minutes, or about 30 light-years at its distance of 5400 light-years, M46 contains over 150 bright stars and a total population perhaps over 500. M46 is probably around 300 million years old. The planetary nebula NGC 2438 is almost certainly not physically associated with M46 due to is probable evolutionary history, its significantly diffferent velocity, and a distance estimate only a little more than half the distance to M46. This skyview is corresponding to binoculars and small telescopes.

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