Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Canis Major (CMa)  ·  Contains:  M 41  ·  NGC 2287
M41   NGC 2287 Open Star Cluster, AlBroxton
M41   NGC 2287 Open Star Cluster
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M41 NGC 2287 Open Star Cluster

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Description

Messier 41 (also known as M41 or NGC 2287) is an open cluster in the Canis Major constellation. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and was perhaps known to Aristotle about 325 BC. M41 lies about four degrees almost exactly south of Sirius. It contains about 100 stars including several red giants, the brightest being a spectral type K3 giant near the cluster's center. The cluster is estimated to be moving away from us at 23.3 km/s The diameter of the cluster is between 25 and 26 light years. Its age is estimated at between 190 and 240 million years old. M41 is also referred to as NGC 2287. The cluster contains over 100 stars, a perfectly spaced mix of hot blue stars and big red giants.. The most interesting aspect of it to me is the apparent meandering line of stars which extends from the bottom left corner of the image all the way to the upper right corner. About one-third of the way up along this line is an interesting and beautiful orange/blue star pair.

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  • M41   NGC 2287 Open Star Cluster, AlBroxton
    Original
  • Final
    M41   NGC 2287 Open Star Cluster, AlBroxton
    B

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M41   NGC 2287 Open Star Cluster, AlBroxton