Messier 47 is an open star cluster located in the constellation Puppis. It was discovered by the astronomer Charles Messier in 1771 and is approximately 1,600 light-years away from Earth. The cluster contains around 50 stars, with its brightest members being visible to the naked eye under dark skies. The age of Messier 47 is estimated to be about 78 million years, making it relatively young in astronomical terms. It is often studied for its stellar composition and dynamics, providing insights into the formation and evolution of star clusters in our galaxy, the Milky Way.