45 minutes exposure, Kodak Ektachrome 400 slide film.
5" f/5 refractor, prime focus.
| Object Type | Open Cluster |
| Constellation | Auriga |
| Magnitude | 6.4 |
| Size | 15.0' x 15.0' |
In the constellation of Auriga there are a number of open clusters, 3 of which have Messier numbers. This image shows the third of these, M38.
The cluster is just visible to the naked eye if the skies are very dark, and in a small telescope it is a fine object. M38 is fairly loose, with about 50 moderately bright stars spread over an area of about 20'.
About half a degree south of M38, is a small, compact open cluster, NGC 1907. This cluster is readily visible in small telescopes.
About the same distance from M38, but to the right, is another open cluster, Cz 21. This is a sparse grouping of about 40 faint stars, only a few of which are visible on the photograph. It is almost impossible to discern that a cluster actually exists without a large telescope.
Combination of 10, 3 minute images using red, green, and blue filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.
Taken through light cloud.