Low down even in midwinter but a fine contrasting pair of open clusters for a clear frosty night. Messier 46 is rich and contains some 200 stars brighter than 13th magnitude in a fairly circular area about 20' across; it is uncertain as to whether it is related to the small planetary nebula seemingly superimposed on it (just showing on this small-scale image). NGC 2438 has a similar radial velocity to the cluster so may be linked.

Messier 47 is a much brighter at magnitude 4 and is about 3 times closer, less rich and a bit larger at 30'. The pair is stunning in large binoculars from more southern latitudes.