... М43 < М44 > М45 ...

Open star cluster M44

Open star cluster M44 or Beehive is in the constellation Cancer (Cnc).

Equatorial coordinates (epoch J2000):
Ra (α):08^h40.4^m, Dec (δ):+19° 41'

Visual magnitude: 4,0^m - this object can be seen with the naked eye on a black sky, in the absence of illumination from street lighting.
Distance from the star clusters M44 to the Sun is 610 light years
Angular size: 1,2°
External dimensions the star clusters M44 are about 15 light years.
Number of stars: 1000
Age of the object M44 is 500—700x10⁶ years

Discoverer: Aratos, 260 BC year.

The designation M44 in other catalogs: NGC 2632

Optimum magnification for a telescope with observations of M44, depending on the aperture of the telescope (D), is about 10x-20x. Higher magnifications of course add details, but lead to a strong drop in the brightness of the image, making it difficult to observe.

The best month for observing M44 is March. At this time, the object is at midnight near its highest point in the sky, that is, it is less affected by light from the lanterns and atmospheric distortions.

Мessier 43

Мessier 45

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