Messier 37 - The Salt and Pepper Cluster

Messier 37, also known as the Salt and Pepper Cluster, is an open cluster in the constellation Auriga. It was discovered by the astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna sometime before 1654 and was later rediscovered and cataloged by Charles Messier himself in September 1764. The cluster is located at a distance of about 4,500 light-years from Earth. Compared to some of the other open clusters I have written about, Messier 37 is a big boy, containing around 500 stars. In addition to numerous B-type main sequence stars, the cluster also contains several red giant stars, which are less commonly seen in many of the younger open clusters in the Messier catalog.

Messier 37 is estimated to be between 350 and 500 million years old, making it significantly older than clusters such as Messier 35. This greater age is reflected in its stellar population, with a more evolved appearance and a broader range of star types.