M36 - Open Cluster in Auriga

M36 is an open cluster located within the constellation of Auriga. At an age of only 25 million years, this cluster is quite young and contains no red giant stars. The cluster is approximately 14 light years across in size and is located about 4,100 light years from Earth.

Image Specifications:

     •  Instrument:  Takahashi FS-102 Refractor (820mm - f/8) with 0.8x Televue reducer
     •  Camera:  Canon 20Da
     •  Filters:  Hutech IDAS LPS (Light Pollution)
     •  Mount:  Losmandy GM-8 Equatorial
     •  Guiding:  SBIG STV Autoguider with Vixen 400mm Guidescope
     •  Time / Date :  January 10, 2007, 9:00PM EST
     •  Location:  Coyle Field, NJ
     •  Weather:  Clear, 25degF
     •  Primary Exposure :  9 x 2min, ISO 1600, RAW, average combined
     •  Calibration Frames:  7 x 2min, ISO 1600, RAW, average combined, no flats
     •  Image Processing :  Images Plus, Photoshop CS2