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Star clusters like the Beehive Cluster (M44) contain hundreds of stars — one of the finest open clusters visible through binoculars and small telescopes

Deep-Sky Observing · Messier 44

M44 Beehive Cluster: How to Observe the Praesepe Star Cluster

The Beehive Cluster (M44, Praesepe) has been known since ancient times — the Greeks and Romans used its visibility as a weather predictor. It's one of the closest open clusters to Earth, containing over 1,000 stars spread across 1.5° of sky. Through binoculars, it's a spectacular sight; through a telescope, it fills the entire field with dozens of bright, colorful stars.

CatalogM44 (NGC 2632)
Distance577 light-years
Best seasonSpring (March–May)
Min. equipmentNaked eye (dark site)
By Elena Reyes Published: Updated: Reviewed & approved by Juhi Sahni, Senior Editor Editorial Standards

Quick Answer: How to Find and Observe the Beehive Cluster

Find the Beehive Cluster (M44) in the constellation Cancer, roughly midway between Regulus (Leo) and Pollux (Gemini). It's visible to the naked eye as a faint fuzzy patch under dark skies — the Greeks called it "Praesepe" (the Manger), and its visibility was used to predict approaching storms. Through 10×50 binoculars, it's one of the most spectacular open clusters in the sky, with dozens of stars resolved in a roughly 1.5° field.

Through a telescope, the view depends on magnification. At low power (25–50×) with a wide-field eyepiece, the Beehive fills the entire field with stars — the cluster spans about 1.5°, making it larger than the full Moon. A 4-inch scope reveals about 50 stars; an 8-inch shows over 100. The cluster contains a rich mix of spectral types from hot blue-white A-type stars to cooler orange K-type giants, giving it a subtle color contrast that averted vision enhances.

Naked eye (dark site)

Visible as a faint misty patch. The two stars flanking the cluster (Gamma and Delta Cancri) were known as the "Aselli" (donkeys) feeding at the Manger.

Binoculars (best view)

10×50 binoculars deliver the finest overall view — dozens of stars in a rich field with enough contrast to show color differences between stars.

Telescope (high power)

Use a wide-field eyepiece (32mm Plössl or 24mm 68°) for the best framing. At higher power, individual stars become sharp pinpricks against a dark background.



About M44 — The Beehive Cluster (Praesepe)

The Beehive Cluster, also known as Praesepe (Latin for "manger") and NGC 2632, is an open cluster in the constellation Cancer. At 577 light-years away, it's one of the closest open clusters to Earth — only the Hyades and Ursa Major Moving Group are closer. The cluster is estimated to be about 600–700 million years old, making it roughly the same age as the Hyades.

M44 was one of the first objects Galileo observed with his telescope in 1609, and he recorded over 40 stars in the cluster. The cluster contains at least 1,000 confirmed member stars, with about 300 more probable members. The brightest stars are of spectral types A and F — hot white and yellow-white stars — but the cluster also contains several red giant stars that give the cluster a subtle warm tint against the surrounding blue-white stars.

Star cluster in the night sky — the Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer contains over 1,000 stars and spans 1.5 degrees

The Beehive Cluster (M44) — A Rich Open Cluster in Cancer

The Beehive Cluster spans about 1.5 degrees of sky — three times the diameter of the full Moon. It contains over 1,000 stars and is one of the closest open clusters to Earth at 577 light-years. Credit: NASA / ESA.

In ancient Greek and Roman astronomy, the cluster was associated with weather prediction. According to the 1st century BC poet Aratus, "A murky Manger with both donkeys shining brightly foretells rain." The "donkeys" are the stars Gamma and Delta Cancri that flank the cluster. If the cluster appeared dim or invisible, it signaled approaching storms — simple naked-eye meteorology that worked because high cirrus clouds (precursors to storms) would obscure the faint glow of the cluster before other clouds were visible.

How to Find M44 in the Night Sky

The Beehive Cluster is in the constellation Cancer, which is one of the faintest zodiac constellations. Finding it is easiest by star-hopping from brighter neighbors. Draw an imaginary line between Regulus (the brightest star in Leo) and Pollux (the brighter of the twin stars in Gemini). The Beehive sits roughly at the midpoint of this line, slightly south of center. It's visible from December through June, with peak visibility in March–May when it's highest in the sky around midnight.

For the Cancer constellation guide with detailed finder charts and nearby deep-sky objects, see our Cancer Constellation Guide. Additional open clusters in Cancer include M67, an ancient open cluster about 3.2 billion years old — one of the oldest known open clusters in the Milky Way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the Beehive Cluster with binoculars?

Yes — the Beehive Cluster is arguably at its best through 10×50 binoculars. The cluster spans about 1.5 degrees, which fits perfectly in a typical binocular field of view (5–7 degrees), showing dozens of stars in a rich, sparkling group. It's one of the finest binocular targets in the entire night sky.

What is the best eyepiece for observing M44?

A wide-field eyepiece with 25–32mm focal length is ideal. The Celestron Omni 32mm Plössl or Celestron Luminos 19mm 82° both deliver excellent framing of the cluster. For a full guide to choosing eyepieces, see our Best Eyepieces Buying Guide.

Why is it called the Beehive Cluster?

The name "Beehive" comes from the cluster's appearance through early telescopes — a swarm of stars buzzing around like bees. The ancient name "Praesepe" (Latin for "manger" or "crib") refers to the two donkeys (Gamma and Delta Cancri) feeding from its manger.

How does M44 compare to other open clusters?

The Beehive is the third-closest open cluster to Earth (after the Hyades and Ursa Major Moving Group). It's richer and more concentrated than the Pleiades (M45) but more spread out, making it better suited to binoculars than telescopes. Its age (600–700 million years) is comparable to the Hyades, making both clusters valuable for stellar evolution studies.