Messier Index/M41
| Messier 41 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data (w:J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | w:Canis Major |
| Right ascension | 06h 46.0m[1] |
| Declination | -20° 46′[1] |
| Distance | 2,300 ly[citation needed] (710 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.5[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 38′[citation needed] |
| Other designations | M41,[1] NGC 2287[1] |
Messier 41 (also known as M41 or NGC 2287) is an w:open cluster in the Canis Major constellation. It was discovered by w:Giovanni Batista Hodierna before w:1654 and was perhaps known to w:Aristotle about w:325 BC.[2] M41 lies about four degrees almost exactly south of w:Sirius. It contains about 100 stars including several w:red giants, the brightest being a w:spectral type K3 giant near the cluster's center. The cluster is estimated to be moving away from us at 23.3 km/s.[1] The w:diameter of the cluster is between 25 and 26 w:light years. Its age is estimated at between 190 and 240 million years old. M41 is also referred to as NGC 2287.
External links
References
- ↑ a b c d e f "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for Messier 41. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ↑ M41 possibly recorded by Aristotle