Wallpaper author:
Jonathan Lodge
25 Aug 2021
M46 and NGC 2438
Messier 46 (aka NGC 2437), is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Puppis. It is about 5,000 light-years away. There are an estimated 500 stars in the cluster with a combined mass of 453 solar masses and it is thought to be around 251.2 million years old.
The planetary nebula NGC 2438 appears to lie within the cluster near its northern edge, but it is most likely unrelated since it does not share the cluster's radial velocity.
Dataset from which the image was processed
M46
1 credit
- Type of target............................................................................................................................Open Cluster
- Camera............................................................................................................................FLI ProLine PL9000
- Target coordinates............................................................................................................................RA 115.44171 Dec -14.8
- Hemisphere............................................................................................................................Southern
- Telescope location............................................................................................................................Chile
- Transient event............................................................................................................................No
- Observed on............................................................................................................................10 Apr 2021 - 16 Apr 2021
Filter | Avg Exp (s) | Total Exposure | Subframes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 180 | 21m | 7 |
| Green | 180 | 21m | 7 |
| Blue | 180 | 21m | 7 |
| Luminance | 180 | 21m | 7 |