M48 = NGC2548 ( 8h 13.8m -5°48´, 5.8 mag. )


Messier noticed M48 open star cluster in Hydra on February 19, 1771, however (like in the case of M47) he entered wrong positional data in his catalogue (4° N of the actual position). NGC2548 is now believed to correspond to that "missing" object. Located about 2,000 ly away, it measures 20 ly across and contains some 50 stars. It is visible in binoculars 3° SSE of z Monocerotis (see finder chart below).

The above image was taken on Feb.19, 1999 from Sooke, BC using Celestron Ultima 8 SCT at f6.3. Ektachrome P1600 film was exposed for 20 minutes and the resulting slide was then scanned.

North is up.


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


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© Jan Wisniewski