Deep space
Little Beehive Cluster
Open cluster · M41 · NGC 2287
Open cluster in Canis Major
Photo: Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), a joint project of the University of Massachusetts and · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 41 (also known as M41 or NGC 2287) is an open cluster in the constellation Canis Major. Located approximately four degrees south of Sirius, it forms a roughly equilateral triangle with Sirius and Nu2 Canis Majoris, visible together in binoculars. The cluster spans an area comparable to the size of the full moon and contains about 100 stars, including several red giants and white dwarfs.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
Share your location to see where this is in your sky right now.
Key facts
Distance
~2,300 light-years
Apparent mag.
+4.5
Apparent size
38′
Best seen with
Naked eye
Catalogue
M41 · NGC 2287
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 41 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 2287.
- Found in the constellation Canis Major.
- Bright enough to see with the naked eye.
