Messier 47

Messier 47 / NGC 2422 is an open cluster in the constellation of Puppis, located 1.600 light-years away. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and rediscovered by Charles Messier in 1771. Also, Caroline Herschel independently discovered it around 1783.

M 47 has an estimated age of only 78 million years old and has around 500 stars. The cluster is dominated by hot, young B-type stars, but there are also several red giants which offer a nice contrast.

With an apparent magnitude of +4,4, M 47 is visible to the naked eye from areas with a dark sky, looking like a hazy patch.