Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Scorpius (Sco)  ·  Contains:  Grafias  ·  NGC 6231  ·  PK344+00.1  ·  The star ζ1Sco  ·  The star ζ2Sco  ·  zet01 Sco  ·  zet02 Sco
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NGC 6231, Alan Karty
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NGC 6231

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
NGC 6231, Alan Karty
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 6231

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Description

NGC 6231 is an open cluster in the southern sky located half a degrees north of Zeta Scorpii. NGC 6231 is part of a swath of young, bluish stars in the constellation Scorpius known as the Scorpius OB1 association. The star Zeta1 (HR 6262) is a member of this association, while its brighter apparent partner, Zeta2 (HR 6271), is only 150 ly from Earth and so is not a member.

This cluster is estimated about 2–7 million years old, and is approaching the Solar System at 22 km/s. The cluster and association lie in the neighboring Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way. Zeta1 Scorpii (spectral type O8 and magnitude 4.71) is the brightest star in the association, and one of the most radiant stars known in the galaxy.

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NGC 6231, Alan Karty