Cosmic contrasts: the open cluster M37 and the planetary nebula IBHASX J055226.2+323724

About the Object

Cosmic contrasts: when two prominent objects of different nature jointly feature in one image. Usually these are chance alignments where the objects are located at largely different distances (e.g. the Galaxy NGC 6946 and the star cluster NGCC6939), but this object is different: the planetary nebula IBHASX J055226.2+323724, which is visible in the Ha image, is actually located in the 500 million year old open star cluster M37.

M37, a.k.a. NGC 2099, is a bright and rich open star cluster in the constellation Auriga. Located about 4,500 light-years from Earth, it contains roughly 500 stars, including dozens of red giants and hundreds of main-sequence stars. Estimated to be around 300 million years old, M37 mirrors an interesting stage of stellar evolution:many of its stars are still relatively young while others have already begun aging into giant phases.

IBHASX J055226.2+323724 is an interesting object in its own right, as it was discovered fairly recently. It is only the 3rd example of an association between a planetary nebula and open cluster out of the ~4,000 planetary nebulae known in our Galaxy! It also seems to be the oldest planetary nebula found so far. And, you can get it with amateur equipment from your backyard!

Observation Notes

Data were taken on 2025 October 30, 31 (LRGB) and on November 5 and 6 (Ha). (in the acquisition only the extra Ha data is listed, for LRGB look at the original image 0f M37).

Technical Details

View the full-resolution image together with complete acquisition and processing details on AstroBin.