M37 is an open star cluster in Auriga, and contains about 150 stars down to magnitude 12.5. The total population of this star cluster may be 500 stars. The star cluster is located about 4600 light years away. The age of this star cluster is believed to be about 200 million years old. The star cluster contains at least a dozen red giants. M37 is one of three objects in the constellation Auriga that were included in the Messier catalog. The other two objects are M38 and M36, which are also both open star clusters.
This is a composite image of three unguided 60 second exposures through red, green and blue filters. It was taken with an SBIG ST-8 CCD using a Takahashi FCT-150 refractor from my backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona.
M37 (NGC2099)
Constellation: Auriga
RA: 05h 52m 18.5s Dec: +32d 32' 47"
February 17, 2001
Image by Sid Leach
Scottsdale, Arizona
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