M 39

M39 is a large,  loose open cluster, about 9 degrees east and a bit north of Deneb in Cygnus. It is about 800 light years distant, making it quite close to our part of space and it is estimated to be between 230 and 300 million years old.  The cluster contains at least 30 stars in a volume of space about 7 light years across.   The total visual magnitude of the cluster is between 5.2 and 6.0.

Taken September 25, 2009, with the ST-8 on the 300mm Nikkor lens. Exposure is 5 minutes.

Taken August 7, 2009, with the Nikon D-100 camera on the 300mm lens. Exposure is 30 seconds.