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M37

 

This is an open star cluster in the constellation of Auriga. Sometimes called the Salt & Pepper cluster.

It was first discovered in the early 1650's by Giovanni Battista Hodierna. Later to be independently discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

The cluster lies 4,511 light years away from us and is estimated to be between 350 and 550 million years old. Quite a few red giants can be seen within the 500+ stars that make up the cluster.

The best time to observe M37 or NGC 2099 as its listed in the New General Catalogue is the months of December, January and february.

 

Boring techie bit.

Skywatcher quattro 8" S & f4 aplanatic coma corrector

EQ6 R pro mount guided with an Altair 50mm & Altair GPcam

Canon 450D astro modded with Astronomik CLS CCD EOS APS-C clip filter. Neewer Intervalometer used to control the exposures.

70 - 80 second exposures with the best 75% stacked in DeepSkyStacker with calibration frames.

All other processing done with StarTools

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Uploaded on January 28, 2023