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Observation by Nick Hewitt: A Puppis pair

Uploaded by

Nick Hewitt

Observer

Nick Hewitt

Observed

2019 Feb 04 - 22:00

Uploaded

2019 Feb 16 - 16:03

Objects

M46
M47

Planetarium overlay









Constellation

Puppis

Field centre

RA: 07h38m
Dec: -14°43'
Position angle: -26°04'

Field size

2°07' × 1°46'

Equipment
  • Starwave 70mm
  • EQ8
  • Canon 60Da
  • IDAS filter
Exposure

20 x 60secs

Location

Northampton

Target name

Messiers 46 & 47

Title

A Puppis pair

About this image

Low down even in midwinter but a fine contrasting pair of open clusters for a clear frosty night. Messier 46 is rich and contains some 200 stars brighter than 13th magnitude in a fairly circular area about 20' across; it is uncertain as to whether it is related to the small planetary nebula seemingly superimposed on it (just showing on this small-scale image). NGC 2438 has a similar radial velocity to the cluster so may be linked.

Messier 47 is a much brighter at magnitude 4 and is about 3 times closer, less rich and a bit larger at 30'. The pair is stunning in large binoculars from more southern latitudes.

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