Open Cluster M38
An open cluster in Auriga, appearing somewhat cross-shaped (the Starfish Cluster). Part of a famous trio (with M36, M37) and a good target for binoculars.
Open cluster in Auriga. Magnitude 6.4.
Can you see it from Guyana?
From Georgetown (6.8° N) it climbs to 61° above the northern horizon at its highest; from Lethem (3.4° N), to 58° above the northern horizon. It is highest at midnight on the night of 11 Dec, in the middle of its season. The page works out tonight's rise, highest point and set for both towns in Guyana time (UTC-4), and where the Moon is.
What you'll see
- Your eyes: Not visible to the eye.
- 10x50 binoculars: Resolves into dozens of stars.
- A small telescope (80 to 100 mm): Dozens to hundreds of stars at low power.
- A camera: Spans about 40% of an APS-C frame at 1,500 mm (field 0.9° × 0.6°); needs a tracking mount.
How big, how bright, how far
- Size on the sky: 21′, 68% of the Moon's width (the Moon is about 31′ wide).
- Brightness: magnitude 6.4. Fainter than the faintest stars in Georgetown (4.3) and Lethem (6.0): binoculars or a telescope.
- Distance: 4,200 light-years. The light reaching your eye left it about 4,200 years ago.
What it is made of
- Type
- Open Cluster
- Distance
- Approx. 4,200 Lightyears
- True size
- Approx. 25 Lightyears diameter
- Main Sequence Stars (A, B-type): Brightest are blue/white
- Yellow Giant: Brightest member, provides color contrast
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More deep-sky objects: Open Cluster M36 · Open Cluster M37 · Open Cluster M35 · Hyades Cluster · Pleiades (M45) · Alpha Persei Cluster (Melotte 20)