Caldwell 46
C46
📋 A written introduction is coming — for now this page shows official values only.
Object
- Type (NASA)
- Reflection Nebula
- Distance from Earth
- 2,500 light-years
- Apparent magnitude
- 10 mag
- NASA description
- This fan-shaped cloud of gas and dust shines by the light of a bright star at the bottom end of the nebula.
Source:NASA Hubble (Messier/Caldwell catalogs) · checked 2026-11-02 ↗
In everyday life
- Light from this object takes about 2,500 years to reach Earth — the light you see tonight left 2,500 years ago (official distance ÷ speed of light).
- At magnitude 10 it is fainter than the naked-eye limit (about 6) — you need binoculars or a telescope.
- Caldwell number 46 — guides call it «C46» (NASA Hubble Caldwell catalog).