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!
M 46 |
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NGC 2438 |
Size: 20' x 15' (Stoyan)
Distance: 6,000 light years
Rating: *** |
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Size: 1.1' (Stoyan)
Distance: 4,000 light years
Rating: * |
Map

M 46 (left) and M 47 (right) in the constellation Puppis (Image
Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
My Own Photos
eVscope
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020 |
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020 |
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020, NGC 2438 marked |
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 14, 2020 |
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 14, 2020, processed |
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 18, 2020 |
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M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 18, 2020, processed |
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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
On this Site
