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M36 · Messier 36

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Messier 36
Credit Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), a joint project of the University of… · Public domain
Chinese nameM36 疏散星团
TypeOpen cluster
ConstellationAur
RA05h36m
Dec+34°
Apparent magnitude6ᵐ
HemisphereNorthern
Best seasonWinter
DifficultyEasy
Focal length中焦 400–800mm

About

About 4,100 light-years away, M36 is one of Auriga's three prominent open clusters, dominated by young, bright blue-white stars. Compact with hot members, it stands out vividly against the Milky Way. It often appears with M37 and M38 in wide-field compositions of the Auriga Milky Way, and mid-focal imaging cleanly shows its blue stars, a common winter cluster.