The Beehive Cluster (also called the "Praesepe"), Messier 44, lies
in central Cancer within the asterim of "the Manger." At a distance
of 600 light years, four times farther than the
Hyades, this 750-million year old cluster appears smaller and fainter.
The very bright body is Jupiter, which just happened to be passing by when
the photo was taken (a full 12-year orbit after the picture
of the whole constellation was taken).
The orange color of the giant stars shows
nicely.
