Open Cluster Messier 36 (M36) in Auriga
Taken by Thomas Wildoner on November 3, 2024 @
Weatherly, PA, USA
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Camera Used: Unavailable Unavailable
Exposure Time: Unavailable
Aperture: Unavailable
ISO: Unavailable
Date Taken: 2024:11:14 11:47:45
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Details:
Messier 36 (M36 or NGC 1960) is the first of three large open clusters found in the constellation called Auriga. It lies at a distance of about 4,100 light years away from Earth and is about 14 light years across. There are at least sixty members in the cluster. The cluster is very similar to the Pleiades cluster (M45), and if it were the same distance from Earth it would be of similar magnitude. Burnham states, “The group makes its best impression with a fairly low power (20X to 50X)”. I would add that the entire area looks fantastic through a good pair of binoculars.
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension: 05h 36m 18.0s
Declination: +34° 08′ 24″
Apparent magnitude (V): 6.3
Apparent dimensions (V): 12'
Tech Specs: Orion 8” RC Telescope, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at -10F, 54 Minutes using 60 second exposures, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in PixInsight. Image Date: November 3, 2024. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Photographer's website:
https://thedarksideobservatory.com
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