Messier 46

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Messier 46
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension 07h 41.8m
Declination −14° 49′
Distance 5.4 kly (1.7 kPc)
Apparent magnitude (V) 6.1
Apparent dimensions (V) 27.0′
Notable features contains superimposed
planetary nebula NGC 2438
Other designations NGC 2437
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

Messier 46 (also known as M 46 or NGC 2437) is an open cluster in the constellation Puppis. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1771. Dreyer described it as "very bright, very rich, very large."

M46 is at a distance of about 5,500 light-years away with an estimated age on the order of a few 100 million years.[1] The cluster contains about 150 stars which are brighter than magnitude 13. Its spatial diameter is some 30 light years.

The planetary nebula NGC 2438 appears to lie within the cluster at its northern edge (the faint smudge at the top center of the image), but it is most likely unrelated granted it may not share the cluster's radial velocity.[2] The matter is a point of debate, however.

M46 is about a degree east of M47 in the sky, so the two fit well in a binocular or wide-angle telescope field.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Majaess D., Turner D., Lane D. (2007), In Search of Possible Associations between Planetary Nebulae and Open Clusters, PASP, 119, 1349
  2. ^ Majaess D., Turner D., Lane D. (2007), In Search of Possible Associations between Planetary Nebulae and Open Clusters, PASP, 119, 1349

[edit] External links

 This star cluster–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.