M36 - A Stellar Jewel Box in Auriga

Messier 36 (M36) is an open cluster located in the constellation Auriga, approximately 4,100 light-years from Earth. It is composed of several dozen young stars that share a common origin, formed from the same molecular cloud. The cluster's estimated age is between 20 and 25 million years, making it a relatively young object on an astronomical scale. Its brightest stars are predominantly of spectral types B and A, characterized by high surface temperatures and intense energy emission. M36 is an excellent natural laboratory for studying early stellar evolution, as its stars have similar chemical compositions and are located at approximately the same distance, allowing direct comparisons between different evolutionary stages. Although it may appear visually as a modest cluster, observations outside the visible spectrum reveal a more complex structure and a stellar distribution that provides key information about the internal dynamics of open clusters and their interaction with the interstellar medium. Data obtained from the Lyra Observatory in San Justo de la Vega, between October 5 and 28, 2025. Equipment: Sky-Watcher 200PDS Telescope Camera: ZWO ASI 533MC Pro Sky-Watcher NEQ6 R Mount Lunatico EZG60+ Guiding Kit ZWO ASI 220MM Optolong QuadEnhance 2" Filter ASIair Plus Data: RGB: 326x120" -10°C Total integration time: 10.7 hours