Messier 35 (M35, NGC 2168) Messier 35 (M35, NGC 2168) and NGC 2158NGC 2158, captured on March 6, 2026. M35M35 is one of the most beautiful open clusters on the winter sky. It is located in the constellation of Gemini. The cluster contains about 120 stars brighter than 13th magnitude, while the total number of its members exceeds 500. It is dominated by young, hot stars of spectral types B and A. The physical diameter of the cluster is approximately 24 light-years, and its distance from the Sun is estimated at 2800–2970 light-years. The age of the cluster is estimated at about 100–150 million years. Nearby on the sky (in the lower right corner of the image) is the much older and significantly more compact cluster is dominated by young, hot stars of spectral types B and A. The physical diameter of the cluster is approximately 24 light-years, and its distance from the Sun is estimated at 2800–2970 light-years. The age of the cluster is estimated at about 100–150 million years. Nearby on the sky (in the lower right corner of the image) is the much older and significantly more compact cluster NGC 2158NGC 2158, creating a beautiful contrast. NGC 2158NGC 2158 contains far more stars, is much more compact, over 10 times older, and lies much farther away than M35M35 (approximately 16,000 light-years).
#Astrophotography