Open cluster in Auriga

Messier's list contains three bright open clusters in the constellation Auriga (M36, M37, and M38). Each of these clusters has a distinctly different appearance through a telescope. Of the three, Messier 36 has the fewest stars, and they range quite a bit in brightness. The brightest stars are about 9th magnitude, but many dimmer stars fill the surrounding area. The cluster is about 4100 light years away. At a total magnitude of 6.0, the cluster should be just barely visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions.

Image details:  15 images, each 60 seconds at ISO 1600, taken with a Canon 400D camera through a Meade 12” telescope at f/5.4.

December 2008