MESSIER 48

OPEN CLUSTER IN HYDRA

 (Image Centred at ra 08h:13.8m / dec -05:48)

April 2015 - Observatorio La Banderita, La Pampa, Argentina

DATA

Type: Open Cluster

Apparent Magnitude: 5.8

Apparent diameter: 54 arc minutes 

Distance: 1.500 light years

IMAGE INFORMATION

Optic: 8" f5 Orion Optics Reflector with Televue Paracorr working at f5.75

CAMERA: QSI 583 WS  

FILTERS: Baader LRGB

Mount: Sky Watcher NEQ6

SKY CONDITIONS: pristine skies, seeing regular

EXPOSURES: LRGB (30,30,30,30)

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

Messier 48 is a bright open cluster located in the head of the constellation of Hydra close to the limits with Monoceros. Under good sky conditions it could be spotted with the naked eye. A good target for binoculars. It will show 50 star brighter than magnitude 13 in a concentrated area of 30 arc minutes, however the relative size is a wider reaching some 54 arc minutes corresponding a linear diameter of 23 light years. The age of M48 of 300 millions years old.

The cluster was discovered by Charles Messier in 1771, but apparently he gave the wrong position in the catalogue so the cluster was missing until Romanian Astronomer Oswald Thomas identified in 1934.