Messier 35, also cataloged as NGC 2168, is a large and richly populated open cluster that makes an excellent target for wide-field astrophotography. Spanning roughly 0.6° (38′) across the sky, it comfortably fills the frame of short focal-length refractors and telephoto lenses, rewarding shooters with dozens of resolvable stars in a single exposure. Because its member stars are relatively bright, even modest exposures reveal a sparkling field, while longer integrations bring out the subtle color contrast between its hotter blue and cooler yellow suns. Its generous angular size and high surface density make it a forgiving subject for beginners while still offering compositional depth for more experienced imagers.
Names and Catalog numbers
- M 35 (Messier 35)
- NGC 2168
- Mel 41 (Melotte 41)
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 35 sits in the northwestern reaches of Gemini near the feet of the celestial Twins, at a right ascension of 06h 09m and a declination of +24° 20′. Its high northern position keeps it well placed for observers across the northern hemisphere throughout the winter months, riding high overhead during long, dark nights. Framed against the rich star fields lining the winter Milky Way, this cluster offers photographers a naturally busy backdrop and the chance to compose alongside the nearby, more distant companion cluster that often shares the same wide field. The surrounding region is dense with foreground and background stars, giving deep exposures a layered, three-dimensional feel.
Nice to Know
- Messier 35 lies roughly 2,710 light-years from Earth, placing it among the more accessible bright open clusters for amateur imagers.
- The cluster spans about 30 light-years across, which translates into a generous apparent size of 0.6° (38′) — comparable to the full Moon and larger.
- Its healthy angular extent makes it an ideal match for short focal-length telescopes and camera lenses that can capture the whole grouping in one frame.
- Carrying the designations Mel 41, Messier 35 and NGC 2168, the cluster is a long-recognized showpiece of the winter sky in Gemini.
Brightness, distance and size
It lies about 2,710 light-years from Earth and spans roughly 30 light-years across. On the sky it appears about 0.6° (38′) in size.
