Messier 47

Messier 47
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension	07h 36.6m
Declination	-14° 30′
Distance	1.6 kly (490 Pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	4.2
Apparent dimensions (V)	30.0′
Physical characteristics
Radius	6
Estimated age	78 million years
Other designations	NGC 2422
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

Open Cluster M47 (also known as Messier Object 47 or NGC 2422) is an open cluster in the constellation Puppis. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and independently discovered by Charles Messier on February 19, 1771.

There is actually no cluster in the position indicated by Messier, which he expressed in terms of its right ascension and declination with respect to the star 2 Puppis. However, if the signs of Messier's coordinate differences are changed, the position matches that of NGC 2422.^[1]

M47 is at a distance of about 1,600 light-years from Earth with an estimated age of about 78 million years. There are about 50 stars in this cluster, the brightest one being of magnitude +5.7.

References

1. ^ Houston, Walter Scott (2005). Deep-Sky Wonders. Sky Publishing Corporation. ISBN 1931559236. 

External links

• Messier 47, SEDS Messier pages
• Messier 47 Amateur Image - Waid Observatory
• Messier 47 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Coordinates: 07^h 36.6^m 00^s, −14° 30′ 00″