Introduction | Map | My Own Photos | My Own Observations | References
On this page I collect my observations of the open star cluster M 46 (NGC 2437) and the planetary nebula NGC 2438 in the constellation Puppis.
The constellation Puppis is also one of the constellation that were unknown to me, particularly, because it belongs to the southern sky. It contains the two open star clusters M 46 and M 47, which are located so close to each other in the sky that, at low magnifications, they can even be observed together. This is possible with the Vespera, but not in the eVscope (2).
M 46 includes "visually" the planetary nebula NGC 2438, which I was not able to find in my visual telescopes. But in February 2020, I was able to discover it on a photo that I took with the eVscope, and the same occurred with the Vespera in February 2023 and in March 2024.
Only 6' east of NGC 2438 is the protoplanetary nebula CRL 5237 (OH 231.8+4.2), also called Calabash Nebula or Rotten Egg Nebula; it actually is located within the star cluster M 46. I discovered the nebula on Vespera photos, but also in one eVscope photo!
When I take a mosaic of M 46 and M 47 with the Vespera, the open star clusters NGC 2423 and NGC 2425 (both Puppis) also appear in the photo!
M 46 (NGC 2437) |
NGC 2438 |
NGC 2423 | NGC 2425 | |||
Size: 20' x 15' (Stoyan) Distance: 4,900 light years (div.) Rating: *** |
Size: 1.1' (Stoyan) Distance: 2,400 light years (Wikipedia DE) Rating: * |
Size: 12' (Wikipedia) Distance: 2,500 light years (Wikipedia) Rating: --- |
Size: 5' (Wikipedia) Distance: 11,100 light years (Wikipedia) Rating: --- |
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CRL 5237 (OH 231.8+4.2) |
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Size: 30" (Stoyan APN) Distance: 4,200 light years (Stoyan) Rating: --- |
M 46 (left) and M 47 (right) in the constellation Puppis (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
M 46/NGC 2438 and M 47, Feb 13, 2023 - original, mosaic, 3150s |
Section from the photo left with M 46 and NGC 2438 (red) |
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Ditto, evaluation with nova.astrometry.net |
Section from the photo top left with M 46, NGC 2438 (red) and CR 5237 (blue, tiny). |
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M 46/NGC 2438, Mar 25, 2024 - original, 890s |
M 46/NGC 2438, Mar 25, 2024 - large, photo left processed |
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Section from the photo on top with M 46, NGC 2438 (red) and CR 5237 (blue, tiny). |
Section from the photo on top with M 46, NGC 2438 (red) and CR 5237 (blue, tiny). |