NGC 2168

NGC 2168, also known as Messier 35, is a large and bright open cluster located in the constellation Gemini. It contains several hundred young stars spread across a wide field, giving the cluster a rich and sparkling appearance. The stellar population includes many blue and white stars typical of young clusters, along with a few orange giants that add subtle color contrast. M35 is often imaged together with the nearby older cluster NGC 2158, creating a striking comparison between young and ancient stellar populations.