M44, the Beehive Cluster, is a nearby open cluster in Cancer made of about 1,000 stars that formed together and still move as a group.
What It Is
A loose open cluster of about 1,000 stars that formed together and are still moving through space as a group.
History
Visible to the naked eye, it has been observed for over 2,000 years and was once thought to be a cloud or nebula before telescopes revealed individual stars.
Science Notes
- Much less dense than globular clusters - stars are widely spaced.
- Will eventually drift apart over time.
- Contains many young, hot blue stars.
- age
- ~600-800 million years
- distance
- ~580-610 light-years (~3.4-3.6 quadrillion miles)
- width
- ~15-20 light-years (~90-120 trillion miles)
