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Open Cluster M38
M38
Exposure Data
  • Image Field of View: 41.88' x 27.90'
  • Camera Field of View: 74.76' x 49.83'
  • Lens: 130 mm f/8 triplet apochromatic refractor
  • Focal Length: 1,025 mm
  • Focal Ratio: f/8
  • Camera: Modified Canon T2i (550D)
  • ISO: 100
  • Exposure: 16 x 180 seconds (48 minutes total)
  • Filter: none
  • SQM: 18.5

Messier 38 is an open cluster in Auriga.

M38 shines at magnitude 6.4 and has an apparent diameter of 15 arcminutes. At a distance of 5,200 light-years, this corresponds to a real size of 20 light-years in diameter. It contains 100 stars, including a magnitude 7.9 yellow-giant star. The cluster is estimated to be 220 million years old.

M38 was cataloged by Giovanni Batista Hodierna in 1654. Guillaume-Joseph-Hyacinthe-Jean-Baptiste Le Gentil de la Galaziére independently re-discovered M38 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.

Messier 38
  • Catalogs: M38, NGC 1912
  • Common Name: Starfish Cluster
  • Object Type: Open Clusters
  • Magnitude: 6.4v
  • Size: 15'
  • Constellation: Auriga
  • Image Field Centered At:
    • RA: 05h 28m 33s
    • Dec: +35° 50' 37"



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