Messier 46 (M 46) / NGC 2438

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.

Introduction

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 at first. 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.

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: 6,000 light years (Stoyan) Rating: ***		Size: 1.1' (Stoyan) Distance: 4,000 light years (Stoyan) Rating: *		Size: 12' (Wikipedia) Distance: 2,500 light years (Wikipedia) Rating: ---		Size: 5' (Wikipedia) Distance: 11,100 light years (Wikipedia) Rating: ---

Map

M 46 (left) and M 47 (right) in the constellation Puppis (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

My Own Photos

eVscope


M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020	M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020	M 46/NGC 2438 - Feb 19, 2020, NGC 2438 marked

M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 14, 2020	M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 14, 2020, processed

M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 18, 2020	M 46/NGC 2438 - Mar 18, 2020, processed

Vespera


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)

Ditto, evaluation with nova.astrometry.net

M 46/NGC 2438, Mar 25, 2024 - original, 890s		M 46/NGC 2438, Mar 25, 2024 - large, photo left processed

My Own Observations

Observations End of March 2017

March 27, 2017 (Erkerode: Heritage 100P): M 46 was nice to see, even at high magnifications (4 mm). At low magnifications, M 46 looked only like a nebula, but at high magnifications I was able to see stars.
March 28, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Heritage P130 on GoTo mount): In comparison, M 46 appeared darker than M 47, which looked brighter.

Observations End of March 2018

March 24, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount): M 46 probably not found because the Half Moon was too bright.

Observations February 2019

February 27, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 46 larger, more wide-spread, M 47 fine, smaller; both together within the field of view (24 mm).

Observations February to March 2020

February 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 46 photographed; large; NGC 2438 (PN) on the photo!
March 14 and 18, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 46 photographed; NGC 2438 (PN) on the photo!

Observations February 2023

February 13, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 46 photographed as a mosaic; large; NGC 2438 (PN) and M 47 are also on the photo, as well as NGC 2423 and NGC 2425!

Observations March 2024

March 25, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 46 photographed; NGC 2438 (PN) also on the photo!

References

Messier Catalogue - Messier 46: messier.seds.org/m/m046.html
Messier 46 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_46
NGC 2438 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2438
NGC 2423 (Wikipedia): de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2423 (in German)
NGC 2425 (Wikipedia): de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2425 (in German)