M35 NGC 2168

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.


Film Images



45 minutes exposure, Fuji Superia 400 film.
5" f/5 refractor, prime focus.


DSLR Images



Combination of 30, 30 second images. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.