M35

Click image for larger version.

**Follow-Up - A wider field image of this cluster can be found here and includes a view of NGC 2158.

This is an open cluster in the constellation Gemini at the foot of Castor.  The cluster is large at about 1/2 degree in diameter with about 120 member stars including several red giants.  M35 is about 2,200 light years distant.  Nearby but outside of this field of view is NGC 2158, another open cluster but much smaller and more compact making a nice comparison.

Back to Messier Gallery

Date:  2/17/2007

Location:  Cheddar Ranch Observatory

Telescope:  LX200 10" SCT @ f/6.3

Mount:  AP-1200

Camera:  Hutech Type I Modified 350D

Exposure Count:  10 @ 5 minutes, 50 minutes total exposure

Guiding:  ST-402, Orion 80ED