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Praesepe

Beehive Cluster, M44,
Collinder 189, Melotte 88, NGC 2632

Proper NamesPraesepe, Beehive Cluster
Messier NumberM44
NGC/IC NumberNGC 2632
Other DesignationsCollinder 189, Melotte 88
ConstellationCancer
Right Ascension8h 40m 24s
Declination+19° 40' 0"
Distance571 light years
175 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +3.1
Absolute: -3.3
DiameterApparent: 1° 10'
Actual: c.12 light years
Number of Starsc. 1,000
Optimum VisibilityFebruary
NotesOne of the closest open clusters to the Solar System, Praesepe fills an area almost twice the diameter of the Moon's disc in the skies of Earth, but is only faintly visible without telescopic aid.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

An open star cluster in the central regions of the constellation of Cancer. It lies more than 500 light years from the Solar System, and is thought to share its origins with the Hyades in Taurus.

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