M50

open star cluster · in Monoceros

3,120 light-years from Earth

A rich cluster whose brightest star, an orange giant, shines just south of its middle. In 2025 a study of Gaia data found it may really be two clusters about 40 light-years apart, probably born together, that orbit each other and should one day drift apart.

• 3,120 light-years (Gaia) · its stars spread over about 43 light-years
• about 130 to 160 million years old · 600 of its stars as Gaia measured them

kind

nebula · star cluster

catalogue

M50 · NGC 2323

size

43 light-years across