Messier 50 is an open star cluster located in the constellation Monoceros, which is also known as the Unicorn. It was discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier in 1772 and is approximately 3,000 light-years away from Earth. The cluster contains around 100 stars and is estimated to be about 100 million years old. The stars in Messier 50 are loosely bound by gravity, allowing them to spread out over a larger area compared to more compact clusters. This cluster is best observed with binoculars or small telescopes, appearing as a faint patch of light in the night sky.