| Open
Cluster
aka NGC 2548, Melotte 85, Collinder 179, Raab 72, OCL 584 RA: 08h13m46.1s Dec: -05°47'08" (Hydra) Integrated Visual Magnitude: 5.5 Angular Diameter: 54.0' Distance 2000 ly Age: 313 Myrs Minimum requirements to detect: binoculars and suburban skies |
M48 was apparently discovered by Messier in 1771, but it was long considered "lost" because there is no object at the position given. Allowing for a 5o error in declination matches M48 with the open cluster NGC 2548. Given the sparse nature of this part of the sky and the matching descriptions it seems clear that these are one in the same object.
This cluster is large
and spread out so use low power.
The field in a 6-inch
at 50x. North is down and east is to the right.
Burnham's describes M48 thusly: "Generally triangular in outline, the cluster is dominated by a central chain-like grouping of ten or so 10th and 11th magnitude stars; several dozen fainter members increase the total population to about 50 stars down to 13th magnitude."
I'm always struck by an umbrella or parachute shape derived from a long, arcing chain of stars. A bright red star can be found some distance away from this curving star chain, to the inside of the curve. It's easy for me to imagine the lines of a parachute connecting this star to the curving canopy above. The star seemingly gliding to earth is HD 69180 (8.5 magnitude, K0).
| Millennium
Star Atlas Vol II Chart 810
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 12 Uranometria 2000 Vol II Chart 275 Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas B-06 C-40 |
