Messier 37
Star cluster in Auriga · 4,500 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 37 in the 3D map →View Messier 37 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Auriga |
| Right ascension | 5h 52m 18s |
| Declination | +32° 33′ |
| Object distance | 4,500 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 5.6 |
| Apparent size | 11.4′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 14.9 light-years across |
| Also known as | M37 · NGC 2099 |
Messier 37 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 2099) in Auriga — a gravitationally bound family of stars sharing a common origin. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 11.4 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 5.6, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
Although it appears about 11.4′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 14.9 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 37
Messier 37 lies in the constellation Auriga and is best placed in the evening sky around December. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes.
See Messier 37 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 37 and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position, magnitude and angular size from the OpenNGC catalogue (Mattia Verga).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- Pleiades — star cluster
- Hercules Cluster — star cluster
- Small Sgr Star Cloud — star cluster
- Messier 25 — star cluster
- Messier 103 — star cluster