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A bright open cluster of about 170 stars set against the
star-studded background of the Milky Way.
M103 is a group of bright and faint stars that form a Christmas tree pattern.
This young cluster has many hot blue stars.
The brightest star in view is the double star Struve 131 at the top of the tree,
but it is not a true cluster member.
Just to the east of the tree lie three more open clusters that are a delightful sight
when viewed under low magnification.
M103 was the last object Messier added to his catalog.
Objects M104-110 were added by other astronomers after Messier's death,
based on Messier's unpublished observations.
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