Located in the zodiacal constellation Cancer, M44 is a fairly populated open cluster, known since antiquity. It is one of the closest open clusters as well. First observed by Galileo through his telescope, M44 was catalogued by the comet-hunter Charles Messier in 1769. Because M44 will not be easily confused for a comet, it is thought that this addition marks a departure from his original intention of a list of comet-like objects to assist comet-hunters in confirming their targets, to a more general scientific catalogue. Throughout history, it has been referred to be various names: The Manger, Little Cloud, Little Mist, and the Ghost. In 2012, two exoplanets were identified in M44, marking the first time a planet was found orbiting around a star like our own in such a cluster. Unfortunately, they are not likely to be earth-like, but rather massive gas giants like the planet Jupiter. Look during the springtime!
Top: Wide-Field - Sven Kohle/Till Credner
Bottom: Close-Up - Bob Franke