Object Type | Open Cluster |
Constellation | Gemini |
Magnitude | 5.1 |
Size | 25.0' x 25.0' |
M 35 is a beautiful, large and bright open cluster in Gemini. Under dark skies it is visible to the naked eye, and it is an excelent object for binoculars or a wide field telescope.
The cluster is fairly loose, with about 60 bright stars spread over an area of about 30'. Situated at a distance of about 2500 light years, the cluster is about 30 light years in diameter.
In the image below, the small, fainter cluster below (west) of M 35, is the very rich and very distant open cluster NGC 2158. Situated more than 6 times the distance of M 35, NGC 2158 would be one of the best open clusters in the sky if it were as close as M 35.