M46 (NGC 2437)
Also known as M46 · M 46 · NGC 2437
M46 (NGC 2437) is an open star cluster in the constellation Puppis, about 4,930 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Open star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Puppis |
| Position (J2000) | 7h 41m 46s, −14° 48′ |
| Distance | 4,930 light-years (its light set off about 4,930 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 6.1 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 25.3′ × 25.3′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 180 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M46 (NGC 2437) is highest in the sky at midnight in January. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 55° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 25°. To see it you need binoculars.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Puppis
Everything in Puppis · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits