Object Information                                            Imaging Details

M44 (the Beehive Cluster) is a large open cluster about 500 l-y distant in the constellation Cancer. First identified by Galileo, the cluster contains hundreds of stars, many of which are double stars. In early February, 2006, Saturn paid a visit to M44. You can see Saturn's oblong shape in the center bottom on the image above.

M44 is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky as a faint patch of 'nebulosity'. Binoculars or a telescope under low power gives the best view.

This image was taken from my back yard on February 3, 2006. At the time, Saturn was less than 0.4° from the heart of the cluster.

Clicking the above image will bring up a larger, wider field image.