Messier 46
Star cluster in Puppis · 5,500 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 46 in the 3D map →View Messier 46 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Puppis |
| Right ascension | 7h 41m 47s |
| Declination | −14° 49′ |
| Object distance | 5,500 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 6.1 |
| Apparent size | 21′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 33.6 light-years across |
| Also known as | M46 · NGC 2437 |
Messier 46 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 2437) in Puppis — 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 21 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 6.1, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.
Although it appears about 21′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 33.6 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 46
Messier 46 lies in the constellation Puppis and is best placed in the evening sky around January. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes.
See Messier 46 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 46 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