Messier 38   HOME INDEX BACK NEXT
 

Open cluster in Auriga

Messier 38 is one of three bright open clusters in Auriga that are featured on Messier's list, along with Messier 36 and 37. It contains about 120 stars in a cirlce about 1/3 of a degree wide, and it is best viewed at low power, or through binoculars.

Magnitude 6.4
Apparent Size 21'
Distance (light yrs) 4,200
Right Ascension 5:28.7
Declination +35 50
Field of View 35' x 27'

Image details:  Exposure times of 10 minutes luminance and 6 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M camera through a Meade 12” telescope at f/6.

December 2011