Messier 67 (NGC 2682) is a remarkable open cluster that presents an excellent imaging target for astrophotographers seeking a dense stellar field. With an apparent size of 25 by 25 arcminutes, it fits comfortably within the field of view of most telescopes and camera systems, making it ideal for wide-field astrophotography. The cluster spans 22 light-years in physical diameter and contains a rich population of stars that photograph beautifully with moderate exposure times. Located 2,960 light-years away in Cancer, this ancient stellar gathering offers stunning contrast against the dark background sky, particularly when captured through LRGB or narrowband imaging techniques.
Names and Catalog numbers
- M 67 (Messier 67)
- NGC 2682
- Mel 94 (Melotte 94)
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 67 resides in the constellation Cancer, positioned at right ascension 08h 51m 23s and declination +11° 48′ 50″. This region of the sky places the cluster in a relatively sparse area of the celestial sphere, away from the dense star fields of the Milky Way, which allows it to stand out clearly against the background. The cluster’s position in Cancer, between the bright stars of Gemini to the west and Leo to the east, makes it accessible for imaging during winter and spring observing sessions. Its location at moderate northern declination ensures good visibility for observers throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere, with the cluster rising high enough in the sky to minimize atmospheric distortion during imaging runs.
Nice to Know
- Messier 67 is one of the oldest known open clusters, with an estimated age of approximately 4 billion years, making it an exceptional subject for studying stellar evolution across a wide range of star types in a single frame.
- The cluster’s relatively large angular size of 25 arcminutes means it appears nearly as large as the full Moon in the sky, allowing astrophotographers to capture impressive detail with both short and long focal length setups.
- Unlike most open clusters that disperse over time, NGC 2682 has remained remarkably compact and gravitationally bound, resulting in an unusually high stellar density that produces spectacular richness in astrophotography.
- The cluster’s radial velocity of 33.92 km/s and redshift of 0.000113151 indicate it is moving away from us at a leisurely pace, maintaining its position as a stable imaging target for generations of astrophotographers to come.
Brightness, distance and size
It lies about 2,960 light-years from Earth and spans roughly 22 light-years across. On the sky it appears about 25′ in size.
