M44
The Beehive
Open Star Cluster
M44 (NGC 2632) open star cluster, nicknamed the "Beehive" or "Praesepe". This
cluster, located in Cancer, is 600-700 million years old and approximately 575 light
years distant. It is suspected to have a common origin with the Hyades star cluster.
Image acquisition date: February 26, 2011.
Camera: SBIG STL11000
Filters: AstroDon RGB
Camera control software: CCDSoft
Guiding/adaptive optics: none
Camera temperature: -20C
Telescope: Astro-Physics 155EDF with 4" telecompressor/field flattener, 835mm
focal length (f/5.4).
Telescope control software: TheSkyX, Focusmax
Mount: Paramount ME
Total exposure time: 20 x 2 min R, 14 x 2 min G, 15 x 2 min B
Image scale 2.21 arc sec per pixel
Processing: CCDStack2, Photoshop CS5.