Sunday, March 2, 2025

Open Clusters in Canis Major (evening)

The bright open star cluster designated Messier 41 and the Little Beehive Cluster is located four degrees south of Sirius in the heart of Canis Major. The cluster, which is about 2,300 light-years away from the sun, consists of several brighter golden stars and numerous fainter ones. Another large cluster NGC 2354 sits 1.4 degrees to the northeast of Wezen. Search double that span farther to the northeast for the small, bright cluster known as the Tau CMa Cluster and NGC 2362. Other names include the Mexican Jumping Star and the Pirate's Jewels Cluster. In a telescope, it resembles a sideways glittering Eiffel Tower!

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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* Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (21:2/156)