Open Cluster M46 in Puppis

A rich open star cluster containing more than 150 stars (the cluster likely contains over 500 stars). The distance to the cluster is likely around 5400 light years and its diameter is about 30 light years.

Note Nebula NGC2438 (1.1' x 1.1' and magnitude 11.0) in middle of cluster. This nebula is not part of the cluster, likely lying about 2000 light years closer than the cluster.

Images taken with TEC-140 Telescope mounted Losmandy G11 with Gemini. Camera used was a Canon EOS20D used at prime focus.

Three 1 minute exposures dark compensated, stacked, backgrounded, and digitally developed in ImagesPlus 2.10.