| M38 |
Open
Cluster
aka
NGC 1912, Melotte 36, Collinder 67, Raab 26, OCL 433
Integrated
Visual Magnitude: 6.8
Apparent
Diameter: 21'
Distance
4300 ly
Physical
Diameter: 26 ly
Age:
155 Myr
Minimum
requirements to view: binoculars and suburban skies |
|
M38 is the northern-most
of a chain of three bright open clusters in Auriga. Each of
these clusters has its own unique identity. In the case of M38
we see a loose, irregular grouping of 10-11th magnitude stars
sprinkled over a failry rich field of fainter points of light.
Of M38 Web said, "Larger stars dot it prettily with open
doubles. Glorious neighborhood."
The field in a 6-inch at
50x. North is down and east is to the right.
Don't miss the nearby
open cluster NGC 1907. This cluster is much fainter and
smaller, offering a nice study in contrast. The integrated
visual magnitude of NGC 1907 is 10.2, and it subtends a much smaller
6'. In contrast to their appearance, these two clusters are
about the same age and distance. NGC 1907 is a bit more
heavily obscured by intervening dust.
|
Millennium
Star Atlas Vol I Chart 113
Sky
Atlas 2000 Chart 5
Uranometria
2000 Vol I Chart 97 |
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