Messier 44 (M 44) - Praesepe (Beehive)

Introduction | Map | Find/Identify | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the open star cluster M 44 (Praesepe, Beehive) in the constellation Cancer/Crab.

 

Introduction

Cancer/Crab belongs to the constellations that I do not really know. And I had not heard of the open star cluster M 44 before, which is called Praesepe, Crib or Beehive and impressive 70' large. It was relatively faint in my binoculars (Trinovid) - almost like a nebula, but small star dots were recognizable.

Since M 44 is located in the east and fairly low in February and was not visible from my terrace (at least , I thought so...). That is why I did not attempt to observe it on the first day of my winter observations in 2017 (Feb 13, 2017). More on this further below.

In the meantime, I have observed M 44 often, have seen it beautifully and, under good sky conditions, was even able to see it with my naked eyes.

With the eVscope telescopes you can only see a section of M 44. With the Vespera, however, you can image the whole star cluster, especially when using mosaic mode.

Size: 70' (Stoyan)
Distance: 610 light years
Rating: ****

 

Map

The open star cluster M 44 in constellation Cancer/Crab (the smaller open star cluster M 67 is near-by) (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

 

Find/Identify

Find: The open star cluster M 44 is located roughly at the middle of the line connecting Regulus (Leo) and Pollux (Gemini) but a little bit below (or to the right of) the line:

Identify: If you find a large open star cluster this way, then it definitely is M 44! (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

 

My Best Own Photos

eVscope

         

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021

      

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

Vespera

    

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - original, 160s, mosaic

 

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - large, 160s, mosaic, processed

    

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - original, 370s

 

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - original, 930s

 

My Own Observations

Observations February/March 2017

Observations End of March 2017

Observations May 2017

Observations March 2018

Observations May 2018

Observations February 2019 ff

Observations February to March 2020

Observations March 2021

Observations March 2024

 

References

On this Site


Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope

        

M 44 - Feb 24, 2020

 

M 44 - Mar 12, 2020

   
           

M 44 - Mar 18, 2020

 

M 44 - Mar 18, 2020, processed

   
      

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021

      

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

 

M 44 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

Vespera

    

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - original, 160s, mosaic

 

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - large, 160s, mosaic, processed

    

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - original, 370s

 

M 44, Mar 3, 2024 - original, 930s