Messier 46 (M 46) / NGC 2438

Introduction | Map | My Own Photos | My Own Observations | References

On this page I collect my observations of the open star cluster M 46 and the planetary nebula NGC 2438 in the constellation Puppis.

Introduction

The constellation Puppis is also one of the constellation that were unknown to me, particularly, because it belongs to the southern sky. It contains the two open star clusters M 46 and M 47, which are located so close to each other in the sky that, at low magnifications, they can even be observed together, however, not in the eVscope. M 46 includes visually the planetary nebula NGC 2438, which I was not able to find at first. But in February 2020, I was able to discover it on a photo that I took with the eVscope!

Map

M 46 (left) and M 47 (right) in the constellation Puppis (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

My Own Photos

eVscope

M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020		M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020		M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020, NGC 2438 marked
M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 14, 2020		M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 14, 2020, processed
M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 18, 2020		M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 18, 2020, processed

My Own Observations

Observations End of March 2017

• March 27, 2017 (Erkerode: Heritage 100P): M 46 was nice to see, even at high magnifications (4 mm). At low magnifications, M 46 looked only like a nebula, but at high magnifications I was able to see stars.
• March 28, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Heritage P130 on GoTo mount): In comparison, M 46 appeared darker than M 47, which looked brighter.

Observations End of March 2018

• March 24, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount): M 46 probably not found because the Half Moon was too bright.

Observations February 2019

• February 27, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 46 larger, more wide-spread, M 47 fine, smaller; both together within the field of view (24 mm).

Observations February to March 2020

• February 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 46 photographed; large; NGC 2438 (PN) on the photo!
• March 14 and 18, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 46 photographed; NGC 2438 (PN) on the photo!

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 46: messier.seds.org/m/m046.html

On this Site

• Sky-Watcher Heritage P130 Information (5" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P Information (4" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS Information (6" Newton)
• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information