M67 is one of the oldest of the galactic clusters at around 4,000 million years (about the same age as the Sun). In the constellation of Cancer, it contains at least 500 stars, is 2,879 light years away and subtends an angle of 30 arc-minutes. It was first observed by Johann Gottfried Koehler in 1779 but it is thought that his telescope was not good enough to have resolved stars. Charles Messier rediscovered it, recognised that it contained stars and added it to his list on 6 April 1780.
This is a close-up picture which spans about 55 by 42 arc-minutes.
Date and Time: 17th April 2010 20:42 to 20:56 UT
Camera: Starlight Xpress MX716
Telescope: ST80 (focal length 400 mm)
Capture: Star_mx7. Exposure 30 sec, 25 frames
Processing: Star_mx7. Black level, enhancement factor 25, black level, on each frame.
RegiStax5. 25 frames stacked, histogram 129-255.
A wider-angled picture showing M67 in its setting of the stars of Cancer. This picture covers approximately 160 by 120 arc-minutes.
Date and Time: 6th March 2010 22:06 to 22:13 UT
Camera: Starlight Xpress MX716
Telescope: 135 mm SLR at f/4
Capture: Star_mx7. Exposure 30 sec, 13 frames
Processing: Star_mx7. Black level, enhancement factor 25, black level, on each frame.
RegiStax5. 12 frames stacked, gamma 1.5, brightness -5, Focus Magic 4,100.
Home Back to DSOs