NGC 2301

NGC 2301
NGC 2301 imaged by Chandra X-ray Observatory
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Right ascension06h 51m 45s
Declination+00° 27′ 36″
Distance2,840 ly (872 pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)6.0
Apparent dimensions (V)12′
Physical characteristics
Estimated age165 million years old
Other designationsCr 119
Associations
ConstellationMonoceros
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 2301, also known as Hagrid's Dragon, is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Monoceros. It was discovered by German-English astronomer William Herschel in 1786. This formation is visible through 7x50 binoculars and it is considered the best open cluster for small telescopes in the constellation. It is located 5° WNW of Delta Monocerotis and 2° SSE of 18 Monocerotis. The brightest star of the cluster is an orange G8 subgiant star of 8.0 magnitude, but it is possible that it is a foreground star. The cluster contains also blue giants. The brightest main sequence star is a B9 star with magnitude 9.1.

References

  1. 1 2 "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 2301. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  2. ↑ WEBDA: NGC 2301
  3. 1 2 3 4 Finlay, Warren H. (2014). Concise Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects. The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (2nd ed.). Springer Cham. p. 200. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-03170-5. ISBN 978-3-319-03169-9.
  4. ↑ O'Meara, Stephen James (2007). Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-83704-0.
  5. ↑ Steve O'Meara's Herschel 400 Observing Guide p. 55
  6. ↑ Craig Crossen; Gerald Rhemann (2012). Sky Vistas: Astronomy for Binoculars and Richest-Field Telescopes. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 110. ISBN 9783709106266. Retrieved 30 October 2015.