The American Association of Amateur Astronomers
The Constellation Puppis - The Poop Deck
Containing the brightest star visible on earth, the constellation of Canis Major is
one of the few constellations in the heavens which resembles what it is supposed to be: a large dog. Its neighbor,
Puppis, on the other hand, boasts no bright stars, and is difficult at best for even seasoned
observers to identify. Stellar beacons notwithstanding, both of these constellations are rich in open clusters,
as they lie along the winter Milky Way. Several interesting planetary nebulae and double stars are also found in
this region. Later in the winter, galaxies will be overwhelming the skies, so if you want to find objects a bit
closer and brighter, it's time to come out of the warmth indoors and do some cold weather astronomy!
PUPPIS
M-46 - This is a bright open cluster almost a half of a degree in diameter, containing about 100 moderately
concentrated stars. As a special treat, the planetary nebula NGC 2438 lies seemingly imbedded in its northeastern
edge. The planetary is about 40" in diameter, grayish, and is distinctly ring-shaped. This is a great deep
sky double!
M-47 - About the same size as M-46, this is another fine telescopic sight. This open cluster contains
about 50 relatively bright stars moderately concentrated to the center.
M-93 - Another fine open cluster. It is about 20' in diameter with a distinct triangular or wedge shape.
Composed of about 50 stars, it is fairly well concentrated, with a moderate range in magnitudes of the stars.
NGC 2440 - This planetary nebula appears as an out of focus star, about 20" in diameter, with a bright
center fading to the edges. No central star was seen in this blue-green nebula.
Article © Copyright Rick Raasch
Photos © Copyright Edward P. Flaspoehler, Jr.
Messier Objects in Puppis
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HERE to
download PDF
|
Con
|
Messier
|
Type
|
R.A.
|
Dec.
|
Mag.
|
Size
|
NGC#
|
|
Pup
|
M46
|
Open Cluster
|
7h 41.8
|
-14d 49
|
6.5
|
27.0'
|
2437
|
|
Pup
|
M47
|
Open Cluster
|
7h 36.6
|
-14d 30
|
4.5
|
30.0'
|
2422
|
|
Pup
|
M93
|
Open Cluster
|
7h 44.6
|
-23d 52
|
6.5
|
22.0'
|
2447
|
Deep Sky Objects in Puppis
The following objects are on the Astronomical League's Southern Sky Binocular List
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HERE to
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|
Object |
R.A. |
DEC |
Mag |
PA* |
Type |
Size |
Const |
Urn |
SA |
|
NGC 2451 |
07 45.4 |
-37 58 |
2.8 |
|
Open Cluster |
45.0' |
Pup |
362 |
19 |
|
NGC 2477 |
07 52.3 |
-38 33 |
5.8 |
|
Open Cluster |
27.0' |
Pup |
362 |
19 |
|
NGC 2546 |
08 12.4 |
-37 38 |
6.3 |
|
Open CLuster |
40.0' |
Pup |
362 |
20 |
NOTE: Urn number indicates page in Uranometria
SA number indicates page in Sky Atlas 2000
PA is position angle for Galaxies
Photos © Copyright Edward P. Flaspoehler, Jr.
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