This lovely open cluster lies at the southern end of the rectangle that
makes the classical figure of Gemini. At the limit
of naked-eye vision, it is really a binocular (and telescopic) object.
At a distance of 2700 light years, over 20 light years across,
and about 200 million years old,
Messier 35 would indeed be visible to the eye were it not for nearly a
full magnitude of dimming caused by interstellar dust lying in the line
sight. University of Illinois Prairie Observatory.
