M67 = NGC2682 ( 8h 50.4m +11°49´, 6.9 mag. )


This rich open cluster lies just 2° W of a Cancri (see finder map below). It was was discovered by Kohler between 1772 and 1779. Messier observed it on April 6, 1780. M67 is about 2,600 ly away, measures 19 ly across and contains about 300 stars. For comparison, M67 is 5 x more distant and twice as large as Beehive (M44) in the same constellation. M67 seems to be about 10 billion years old - it is one of the oldest open clusters and its stellar population resembles those of globulars.

The above image of M67 represents autoguided 20 minute exposure on Ektachrome P1600 taken with Ultima 8 f6.3 SCT on Feb.19, 1999 from Sooke BC.

North is up.


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


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© Jan Wisniewski