M44 - Beehive Cluster (Praesepe)
M44 is one of the nearest open clusters to Earth and has been known since ancient times. It appears as a fuzzy cloud to the naked eye but resolves into stars with binoculars.
Distance: 610 light-years
Apparent Magnitude: 3.70
Apparent Size: 95'
Constellation: Cancer
Object Type: Open Cluster
Key Features:
- One of nearest open clusters
- ~1,000 stars total
- Age: 600 million years
- Visible naked eye
- Known since antiquity
- Shares motion with Hyades
Best Imaging Season: January - May
Optimal Integration: 2+ hours (wide field)
![M44 Beehive Cluster](_data/i/upload/2026/01/12/20260112164248-be324395-cu_e520x360.jpg "M44 Beehive Cluster (74809 visits) The Beehive Cluster (also known as Praesepe (Latin for "manger", "cot" or "...")