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"Mellotte 111 is an open cluster in the the constellation Coma Berenice, which sits between the constellations; Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs), Virgo and Leo Major. The above image measures some 4.6 x 3.1 degrees on the sky and is only part of the full cluster which covers an area of more than 7.5 degrees. Mellottte 111 contains approximately 40 stars with magnitudes between 5 and 10 which share a common proper motion. The cluster is 280 light years distant. The above image also includes a number of non-stellar astronomical objects in the background including lenticular and spiral galaxies millions of light years away. Through a telescope at low magnification this part of the sky s quite beautiful and breath taking!
Coma Berenice in latin means Berenice's Hair. Queen Berenice was an ancient Egyptian Queen (and goddess). According to legend, Queen Berenice 11 sacrificed her most treasured possession, her hair, to ensure victory in warfare. For this act of devotion to the state, the gods bestowed upon her their literally highest honour by placing her hair in the heavens as the constellation Coma Berenices. When you look at this cluster through a telescope, the stars seem to be arranged in skeins similar to tresses on the head of a well coiffured woman. By all accounts Queen Berenice 11 of Egypt was one empowered lady". - Joel Cairo CEO of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.
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| More nebulous version |
Credit for Map: Astrometry net
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