M48 Open Cluster (aka NGC 2548)
Apparent Magnitude: 5.8
Distance: Aprox: 2,500 light-years
Constellation: Hydra
Star Count: Aprox 80+
Diameter: 23 light-years
M48 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1771. The best time of year to observe the cluster is in the months of December, January and February. The cluster is easily seen in binoculars and small telescopes, which reveal about 50 stars brighter than magnitude 13. M48 has at least 80 members, including three giant stars of spectral types G to K.
Messier 48 can be found 14 degrees to the southeast of Procyon, the brightest star in Canis Minor and eighth brightest star in the sky, or 3 degrees southeast of Zeta Monocerotis, a yellow supergiant with an apparent magnitude of 4.36, located in the constellation Monoceros.
Taken 1/5/19 in Grand Rapids Ohio by Russell Kille on a CPC 1100 with Hyperstar @ F2 and ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera