The Little Beehive

Messier 41 (M41), also known as the Little Beehive Cluster, is an open cluster in the constellation Canis Major, about 2,300 light-years away. It contains roughly 100 stars, including a few red giants, and spans about 25 light-years in diameter. With an age of approximately 190 million years, it offers a glimpse into the early stages of stellar evolution.

I captured this image during my trip to La Palma last year under dark and clear skies. While this version highlights the cluster’s vibrant star field, next year I plan to revisit M41 and include the faint hydrogen emissions in the background for a more dynamic representation.