Open cluster M44, the Beehive or Prasepe, in Cancer. Red star at lower left i carbon star X Cancri. This is a stack of 3 x 3 minute exposures in hazy skies with Canon 5D MkII at ISO 800 and Canon 135mm lens at f/2.8. Taken January 6, 2011. Field of view simulates binocular field.
M44 the Beehive or Praesepe star cluster in Cancer. This is a stack of 4 x 4 minute exposures at ISO 800 with the Canon 7D on the TMB 92mm apo refractor with Borg 0.85x reducer/flattener for f/4.5. Taken on a slightly hazy night, April 22, 2011 using AP 600E mount and SG4 autoguider.
Messier 44, the Beehive star cluster in Cancer, in a wide-field shot showing it amid the quadrilateral of stars that surround it: Gamma Cancri (top left), Eta Cancri (top right), Theta Cancri (bottom right), and Delta Cancri (bottom left). Gamma and Delta are also known as Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis. This is a stack of 6 x 6 minute exposures with the SharpStar 76mm apo refractor with the EDPH field flattener for f/4.5 and with the Canon EOS Ra at ISO 800. Diffraction spikes added for effect using Astronomy Tools actions.
