Deep space
Tau Canis Majoris Cluster
Open cluster and nebula · C64 · NGC 2362
Open cluster and nebula in Canis Major
Photo: ESO · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
NGC 2362, also known as Caldwell 64, is an open cluster of stars in the southern constellation of Canis Major. It was discovered by the Italian court astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna, who published his finding in 1654. William Herschel called it a "beautiful cluster", while William Henry Smyth said it "has a beautiful appearance, the bright white star being surrounded by a rich gathering of minute companions, in a slightly elongated form, and nearly vertical position". In the past it has also been listed as a nebula, but in 1930 Robert J. Trumpler found no evidence of nebulosity. The brightest member star system is Tau Canis Majoris, and therefore it is sometimes called the Tau Canis Majoris Cluster.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~5,100 light-years
Apparent mag.
+4.1
Apparent size
7.2′
Best seen with
Naked eye
Catalogue
C64 · NGC 2362
Did you know
- Listed as Caldwell 64 in the Caldwell catalogue, also known as NGC 2362.
- Found in the constellation Canis Major.
- Bright enough to see with the naked eye.
