Waid Observatory

Object: M38
Date: Mar. 29, 2006      -      Location: Margate, FL
Telescope: MK-69   Mount: MI-250   Camera: ST-10XME   Filters: Astrodon TruBalance / Hutech IDAS
Exposure:   R G & B = 15 X 2 min. each (Bin 1X1)
Click on the image below to view at higher resolution.

 

M38 Open Cluster in Auriga

 

M38 1

Discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654.

M38 is an open cluster of stars that formed about 200 million years ago.  It lies in the constellation of Auriga at a distance of approximately 4,200 light years.  The cluster has a diameter of about 25 light years and, as viewed from Earth, is about two-thirds the size of the full Moon.  The brightest star in the cluster is a 7.9 magnitude type GO yellow supergiant.  Type G stars have a surface temperature of 5,000 to 6,000 degrees.  In comparison to our own Sun, which is also a type G star, this supergiant star shines 900 times brighter.

1http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m038.html

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid