M67
King Cobra or Golden Eye Cluster
Properties
Position & Identifiers
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About M67
Description
M67 is one of the oldest known open clusters, located about 2,610 light-years away in Cancer. With an age of 3.7-4.6 billion years, it is nearly as old as the Sun and remarkably similar in chemical composition. The cluster contains about 500 stars and is one of the most studied open clusters in astronomy because of its solar-like properties.
Observing Tips
Located about 2 degrees due west of Alpha Cancri (Acubens). In binoculars it appears as a bright, large hazy patch. A telescope at 50-80x reveals about 100 stars in a rich, compact field — one of the finest open clusters for moderate apertures. The star field is dense and rewarding, with no single dominating bright star. Best observed from January through May.
History
Discovered by Johann Gottfried Koehler around 1779 and independently found by Charles Messier on April 6, 1780. Its great age was recognized in the 20th century, making it a benchmark for stellar evolution studies.
Fun Facts
M67 has been called the 'solar sibling' cluster because its age and chemical composition closely match our Sun. Some astronomers have speculated the Sun may have been born in M67 or a similar cluster, though dynamical studies make this unlikely. M67 is one of the oldest open clusters that hasn't yet dissolved into the galactic background.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: Jim Mazur. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026