M46 & Planetary Nebula NGC 2438

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.

NGC 2438 is a planetary nebula (Left Center) The central star is roughly 1,370 light years. So closer than M46 cluster. This is a multi-shell planetary nebula with a bright inner nebula consisting of two somewhat detached shells. The structure is surrounded by a fainter, mostly circular halo.

The nebula consists of material ejected from the central star. The main nebula was formed at about half that age. The central star of this planetary nebula is one of the hottest stars known.

Image Processing and Calibration: Mark Hanson

Data Collection: Hanson, Mazlin, Parker, Forman 2021

Telescope1: 24" Planewave CDK f6.5 and L600 Mount, Camera SBIG 16803 Location: SWOS, El Sauce Chile

Enjoy, Mark