M 48
About image
Messier 48 (also known as M 48 or NGC 2548) is a large open star cluster visible in the constellation Hydra, bordering Monoceros, with an apparent diameter of about 30'.
It is located about 1,500 light-years away and contains about eighty stars up to magnitude 13, about fifty of which are visible even with binoculars or a small telescope. The cluster as a whole is also visible to the naked eye under dark skies.
In this simple image, I used a very short overall exposure with the aim of making the cluster's bright stars stand out more clearly, without them being "lost" by the background stars.
Technical data
Optic Astrograph Newton Artec 200 E - Aperture 200mm, focal lenght 912mm, f/4.5
Mount Skywatcher EQ6R
Camera ZWO ASI 294MM Pro with external filter wheel 7 positions
Filters Antlia 36mm RGB
Guiding system Artesky Ultraguide 60 MKII
Exposure details R 11x120" bin2 -15C gain 120
G 10x120" bin2 -15C gain 120
B 10x120" bin2 -15C gain 120
Total integration 1h2'
Acquisition Voyager, PHD2
Processing Pixinsight 1.8, Photoshop CS5, NoiseXTerminator, BlurXTerminator
SQM-L 20.99
Location Promiod (Aosta Valley, Italy)
Date 13 December 2025
© Roberto Marinoni 2019 - All rights reserved