Open Clusters

M36 (right) and M38 (left) are two prominent open clusters located in the constellation Auriga. Open clusters are a group of starts which formed from the same cloud of gas and dust, but are not gravitationally bound - they will eventually wonder apart. Our sun formed in an open cluster; however, over the 4.7 billion since it's formation, our sibling stars have drifted apart . A similar fate awaits the open clusters above... its just a matter of time.

These two open clusters are also know as the Pinwheel (M36) and Starfish (M38) - both are more that 4k light years away. An additional open cluster, NGC 1907, is visible above M38 (@ 1'clock).

These are excellent targets for small telescopes and binoculars.

 

20171223 - Newtown, PA

Cold and blustery - < 1/2 of the subs were usable - vibrations from gusty winds (20-25mph)... even those kept were not great.

 

Nikon D5500

Nikon 300mmf/4.5 MF ED, f/5.6, 3200iso

24x30s (Stacked in Regim w/Darks)

iOptron SkyTrackerPro

Regim 1.8Sigma stacked w/darks

Processed in Affinity Photo

cropped to ~ 2.5 x 3.4 degrees (original ~3 x 4.5 d)

 

RG_M36-M38_Sig18apTifAP_crop50r90q

Done