M44, The Beehive Cluster

M44, a.k.a The Beehive or Praesepe, is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Cancer. Visible to the naked eye from a relatively dark location, the cl...
Read more

M44, a.k.a The Beehive or Praesepe, is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Cancer. Visible to the naked eye from a relatively dark location, the cluster is around 577ly in distance. It was observed by the Ancient Greeks and Romans and was described by Ptolemy in his "Almagest" as "a nebulous cloud in the breast of Cancer". It was also observed by the Chinese who also described it variously as a ghost or demon. One of its names, "Jishi qi" (Tseih she ke), translates as the "exhalation of piled up corpses"!!!. Gruesome name for a pretty cluster of stars!!!. The cluster contains about 1000 members, in total, and weighs in around 500-600 solar masses. It's estimated to be around 600Ma in age. Pic was taken with t68 at iTelescope, in Bathurst (Celestron RASA, 280mm, f-2.2, 620mm-ZWO ASI1600MC-C.), 10x120sec subs.
Read less