Introduction | Map | 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 50 (NGC 2323) in the constellation Monoceros/Unicorn.
The constellation Monoceros/Unicorn is also one of the constellation that were unknown to me. It contains the open star cluster M 50, according to Stoyan, a brilliant bright cluster, which I can confirm. Stoyan even writes of a "jewel of the winter sky," which is wrongly often ignored.
A little farther away (to the South), but still close, there is the galactic nebula IC 2177 (Seagull Nebula), which can be observed together with M 50 in a Vespera mosaic.
| M 50 (NGC 2323) | IC 2177 | |
| Size: 20' (Stoyan) Distance: 3,000 light years Rating: *** |
Size: 40' x 30' (Stoyan) Distance: 4,300 light years (Stoyan) Rating: --- |
The open star cluster M 50 in the constellation Monoceros/Unicorn (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
The open star cluster M 50 with the galactic nebula IC 2177 (Seagull Nebula) in the constellation Monoceros, detail (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
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M 50 (Monoceros), unprocessed |
Ditto, post-processed |
Ditto, post-processed and sharpened |
Photos taken with Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS (April 6, 2018), originals reduced to 600 x 450 pixels; confirmed using Karkoschka, www.astroimages.de/de/gallery/M50.html, and All sky plate solver.
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M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, ISO 6400 |
M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, ISO 6400, processed |
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M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, ISO, 12 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average) |
M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, 12 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average), processed |
Photo data: M mode with 1 s and f/4, 600 mm, ISO 6400, long-time noise suppression off, manual focus
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M 50 - Mar 14, 2020 |
M 50 - Mar 18, 2020 |
M 50 - Feb 17, 2021 |
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M 50 - Mar 14, 2020, processed |
M 50 - Mar 18, 2020, processed |
M 50 - Feb 17, 2021, photo left processed |
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M 50 - Mar 26, 2024, original, 930s |
M 50 - Mar 26, 2024, large, photo left processed |
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M 50 and IC 2177, Feb 12, 2023 - original, large mosaic, 3430s |
M 50 and IC 2177, Feb 12, 2023 - large, photo left processed |
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M 50 (Monoceros), unprocessed |
Ditto, post-processed |
Ditto, post-processed and sharpened |
Photos taken with Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS (April 6, 2018), originals reduced to 600 x 450 pixels; confirmed using Karkoschka, www.astroimages.de/de/gallery/M50.html, and All sky plate solver.
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M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, ISO 6400 |
M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, ISO 6400, processed |
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M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, ISO, 12 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average) |
M 50 with Sony RX10 M4, 12 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average), processed |
Photo data: M mode with 1 s and f/4, 600 mm, ISO 6400, long-time noise suppression off, manual focus
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M 50 - Feb 17, 2020 |
M 50 - Feb 19, 2020 |
M 50 - Feb 19, 2020, processed |
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M 50 - Mar 12, 2020 |
M 50 - Mar 14, 2020 |
M 50 - Mar 18, 2020 |
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M 50 - Mar 14, 2020, processed |
M 50 - Mar 18, 2020, processed |
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M 50 - Feb 17, 2021 |
M 50 - Feb 17, 2021, photo left processed |
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M 50 - Mar 20, 2022 |
M 50 - Mar 20, 2022, photo left processed |
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M 50 - Mar 26, 2024, original, 930s |
M 50 - Mar 26, 2024, large, photo left processed |
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M 50 and IC 2177, Feb 12, 2023 - original, large mosaic, 3430s |
M 50 and IC 2177, Feb 12, 2023 - large, photo left processed |