deep-sky
star cluster (open)
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Messier 38 (NGC1912) is one of the three well known open clusters in the constellation Auriga.
This cluster lies at a distance of about 4.200 light years and is approximately 25 light years in diameter.
The much smaller cluster just to the right of M38 is NGC1907.
NGC1907 lies at a distance of about 4.500 light years and only contains about 30 stars.
At a visual magnitude of 8.2 it is a bit fainter than M38 (7.4).
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Image information:
Object info
Name: M38
Type: Star cluster (open)
Constellation: Auriga
Distance: 4200 ly
Date & location
Date: December 19, 2009
Location: Landgraaf, The Netherlands
Equipment & optics
Total integration: 3h5m
Camera: Canon 350D
Optics: TMB/LOMO 80/480
Mount: Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Image comments
Low outside temperature of -11.3°C which was very helpful with keeping noise levels under control.