Messier 36 is an open cluster in Auriga.

M36 is the smallest of the three Messier clusters in Auriga with a diameter of 10 arcminutes. It shines at magnitude 6.0. It is located 4,100 light-years away and has a real diameter of 12 light-years. It contains 60 stars, the brightest of which is 9th magnitude. M36 is estimated to be only 25 million years old.

M36 was cataloged by Giovanni Batista Hodierna in 1654. Guillaume-Joseph-Hyacinthe-Jean-Baptiste Le Gentil de la Galaziére independently re-discovered M36 in 1749. Charles Messier added the cluster to his catalog of nebulae and star clusters which he published in 1771.

North is to the top in the above image.

M36 Catalogs: M36, NGC 1960 Common Name: Pinwheel Cluster Object Type: Open Clusters Magnitude: 6.0v Size: 10' Constellation: Auriga Image Field Centered At: RA: 05h 36m 13s Dec: +34° 08' 23"