M47 = NGC2422 ( 7h 36.6m -14°30´, 4.4 mag. )


This open cluster is located in Puppis 1°15' W of M46 (see finder chart below). It was first noticed by Hodierna before 1654. Messier observed it on February 19, 1771, however he entered wrong coordinates pointing to the "blank" region of the sky. NGC2422 is believed to correspond to that "missing" object. It is approx. 1600 ly away and measures 17 ly across. With just 45 members (resolved in binoculars), it is not as rich as its neighbour.

The above image represents autoguided 20 minute exposure taken on January 26, 1999 on Ektachrome P1600 with Ultima 8 f6.3 SCT from Sooke, BC.

North is up.


Map created in Guide 7.0 - 7°45' x 12°. North is up.


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© Jan Wisniewski