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Messier Index/M50
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
Messier 50 280px w:J2000 II,3,m 07h 03.2m −08° 20′ 3.2 kly 1 kpc 5.9 16.0′ 10 78 million years NGC 2323
Messier 50 (also known as M 50 or NGC 2323) is an w:open cluster in the w:constellation w:Monoceros. It was perhaps discovered by G. D. Cassini before w:1711 and independently discovered by w:Charles Messier in w:1772. M50 is at a distance of about 3,000 w:light-years away from w:Earth. It is described as a 'heart-shaped' figure.
External links
Messier 50
Messier 50, SEDS Messier pages
M50 Image by Waid Observatory