Object Information                                            Imaging Details

This bright open cluster, known as M46, is around 300 million years old and contains a few hundred stars. It is located about 5,000 light-years away toward the constellation Puppis,

The cluster contains a superimposed planetary nebula, NGC 2438. The planetary nebula is only arond 3000 light years away, and shows a different radial velociry than the M46 star cluster.

This image was taken from ASLC's Upham dark sky site in April, 2010 with my brand new Canon T2i (prior to modification). It was imaged along with M47 (they are only a degree apart). Clock here to see an M46/M47 composite or click the image above to see a wider field image of just M46

Clicking the above image will bring up a larger, wider field image.

Celestron NexStar 11" OTA