Open Cluster M35: This beautiful Open Cluster is located in the constellation if Gemini or the Twins in a distance of 2800 LY and extends appr. 30 LY. It is a few hundred million years old with most of the stars still shining bluish-white, only a few heavy ones have already turned into Red Giants having a yellow color.

Another Open Cluster, NGC 2158, can be recognized at the right hand side of the image. It is about four times more distant than M 35 and much more compact and older, as indicated by the many yellow stars.

The image was taken at the observatory of IAS at Hakos Farm in Namibia.

The image has been selected Astrophoto of the Day(APOD).