M41
Sketch by Michael Vlasov
M41 is an open cluster containing about 100 stars, including several red giants with a chemical composition similar to our sun. The stars are distributed over a volume about 25 to 26 light years across, and the cluster is receding from us at 34 km/sec. at a distance of 2300 light years.
M41 was possibly recorded by Aristotle in 325 BCE. Hodierna was the first to catalog it before 1654, then it was rediscovered by John Flamsteed in 1702. It was found again by LeGentil in 1749, and finally by Charles Messier in 1765. Phew.
Michael,
A clutch of nest stars out of its nebula beautifully rendered.
Frank
Michael,
A very nice sketch of an equally impressive OC. Very nice indeed!
~WadeVC