Messier 46 is a stunning open star cluster found in the constellation Puppis. Residing at 5,400 light years distant, M46 is near 30 light years in diameter and contains an estimated 500 gravitationally bound stars. The most striking feature of M46 is the presence of the planetary nebula NGC 2438. With a likely age of 300 million years old, planetary nebulae are not applicable. In this case NGC 2438 resides in between Earth and M46 at a mere 2,900 light years distant.

We shot this photo at Frosty Drew Observatory on November 11, 2015

-Scott