M44: The Beehive Cluster

M44 is a beautiful open cluster in the center of the constellation Cancer. It can be seen as a faint nebulosity with the naked eye under good viewing conditions, and is easily resolved with a small pair of binoculars or telescope. In fact, this is one object frequently better suited for binoculars compared to a telescope, due to its large angular extent. Distance estimates for this cluster vary from 500-600 lightyears away, but astronomers are fairly confident in an age of about 600 million years old.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.