Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Monoceros (Mon)  ·  Contains:  HD52720  ·  HD52840  ·  HD52890  ·  HD52938  ·  HD52964  ·  HD52965  ·  HD52980  ·  HD53058  ·  HD53120  ·  M 50  ·  NGC 2323
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Messier 50, Indy Backyard Astro
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Messier 50

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Messier 50, Indy Backyard Astro
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Messier 50

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Description

Located approximately 3,000 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Monoceros, Messier 50 is a dazzling open star cluster that captivates astronomers and stargazers alike. This celestial gem is comprised of around 200 stars, with its brightest members shining with a luminosity that rivals some of the brightest stars visible in the night sky.At first glance, Messier 50 appears as a compact arrangement of stars, resembling a swarm of celestial fireflies against the dark canvas of space. However, upon closer inspection, the cluster reveals its true intricacy, with stars of various sizes, ages, and colors populating its midst.One of the most striking features of Messier 50 is its relatively youthful age. Estimated to be around 78 million years old, this cluster is considered relatively young in cosmic terms. Its stars, born from the same primordial cloud of gas and dust, still burn brightly with the vigor of youth, though some may have already begun their transformation into red giants or other stellar stages.

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Messier 50, Indy Backyard Astro