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> Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438

Open cluster M46 and planetary nebula NGC 2438

author: A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: a-aou24-37005

Image Size 300 DPI: 47 * 45 cm

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.

Keywords for this photo:

ASTRONOMY - M46 - NGC 2437 - NGC 2438 - OPEN CLUSTER - PLANETARY NEBULA - PUPPIS - STAR - STAR CLUSTER -