Open Clusters M46 and M47 in Puppis

[Jerry_Lodriguss (Jerry Lodriguss)]

M46 and M47 are two beautiful open clusters located in the constellation of Puppis.

Click on the link to see a larger version with more information.

I shot this image just after the start of the new year with my AT65EDQ. This small scope has only 65mm of aperture but it is well corrected across the entire field.

The image is a stack of seven 6-minute exposures at ISO 800 at the scopes native focal ratio of f/6.5 shot with a stock, unmodified, Canon T5i (700D).

There’s also a little surprise in front of M46. Can you spot it?

Jerry

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

The PN? I believe its actually located some light years behind M46.

[Jerry_Lodriguss (Jerry Lodriguss)]

NGC 2438 is located at a distance of 2,900 light-years from Earth.

M46 is located 5,400 light-years away.

So the planetary is in front of the cluster along our line of sight.

Jerry

[croweater (Richard)]

Good one Jerry. That was my very first planetary about 25yrs ago. Cheers, Richard

[Regulus (Trevor)]

Nicely done.
Would be nice if some (a lot) of the 'brown' stars in the field could be removed to give more focus to the clusters. The insane number of them initially had me thinking the field was blurred until I registered how sharp the significant ones were.
It's a nice pair for photographing.
Well done - Trev

[Jerry_Lodriguss (Jerry Lodriguss)]

Thanks to everyone for taking a look!

Jerry