Open star cluster M46, optical image. This cluster lies about 5400 light years from Earth in the constellation Puppis. It contains about 500 stars, an

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Open star cluster M46, optical image. This cluster lies about 5400 light years from Earth in the constellation Puppis. It contains about 500 stars, and is thought to be about 300 million years old. The bright white object in the upper left of the cluster is a ring-shaped planetary nebula called NGC 2438. It is not associated with the cluster and is actually in the foreground, being closer to the Earth.

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Size: 5278px × 4644px
Photo credit: © CANADA-FRANCE-HAWAII TELESCOPE/JEAN-CHARLES CUILLANDRE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 2438, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, canada, cfht, cluster, france, galactic, gas, hawaii, ionised, m46, nebula, ngc, open, planetary, plasma, puppis, space, star, starry, stars, stellar, telescope