| Name | Heart Shaped Cluster |
| Designation(s) | M50, NGC 2323, Heart Shaped Cluster |
| Object Type(s) | Open Cluster |
| Relevant Catalog(s) | All (Chron), Messier, NGC |
| Obs. Lat/Long | 42° 17', 073° 57' |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Date and Time Observed | 2024-10-04 04:52:00 |
| Instrument | Seestar S50 f5.0-250mm FL |
| Camera | Built-in SONY IMX462 Sensor |
| Image Details | Total integration time was 4m. Exposures 10s. Darks subtracted, no flats. . |
| Description | After more than a year's gap, Messier added this independent discovery on April 5, 1772. I've chosen to count discoveries where Messier's primacy is undisputed, and therefore am not counting this one. Messier's catalog notations are quite fulsome for him: "Cluster of small stars, more or less brilliant, above the right loins of the Unicorn, above the star Theta of the ear of Canis Major, & near a star of 7th magnitude. It was while observing the Comet of 1772 that M. Messier observed this cluster. He has reported it on the chart of that comet, on which its trace has been drawn. Mem. Acad. 1772." <--> This is another cluster low on the southern horizon. While the "heart" shape is evident, this is not a target I would pursue except for it's presence on the list. Captured on an early AM session to complete the last 6 Messier objects. |
| Related Observations | M50 (2) |
| Catalog Links | |
