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Open star cluster M48

Open star cluster M48 is in the constellation Hydra (Hya).

Equatorial coordinates (epoch J2000):
Ra (α):08^h13.7^m, Dec (δ):-05° 45'

Visual magnitude: 5,5^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 M48 to the Sun is 2510 light years
Angular size: 30'
External dimensions the star clusters M48 are about 22 light years.
Number of stars: 165
Age of the object M48 is 300x10⁶ years

Discoverer: Charles Messier, 1771 year.

The designation M48 in other catalogs: NGC 2548

Optimum magnification for a telescope with observations of M48, depending on the aperture of the telescope (D), is about D/6-D/2. 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 M48 is February. 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 47

Мessier 49

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