Messier 46 or M46, also known as NGC 2437, is an open cluster of stars in the slightly southern constellation of Puppis. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1771. Dreyer described it as "very bright, very rich, very large." It is about 5,000 light-years away. There are an estimated 500 stars in the cluster with a combined mass of , This makes for superimposed objects of interest, another instance perhaps being NGC 2818.
On the other hand, the illuminating star of the bipolar Calabash Nebula shares the radial velocity and proper motion of Messier 46, and is at the same distance, so is a bona fide member of the open cluster.
M46 is located close by to another open cluster, Messier 47. M46 is about a degree east of M47 in the sky, so the two fit well in a binocular or wide-angle telescope field.
See also
- List of Messier objects
- Messier object
References
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External links
- Messier 46, SEDS Messier pages
- Messier 46, Amateur Astronomer Image – Waid Observatory
- Dark Atmospheres Photography – M46 w/ NGC 2438 detail
- – featuring M46