NGC 2362

NGC 2362
NGC 2362. By examining the young star cluster, astronomers have studied gas giant planet formation. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation	Canis Major
Right ascension	07h 18.6m[1]
Declination	–24° 59′[1]
Distance	4.8 ± 1.6 kly (1.5 ± 0.5 kpc[2])
Apparent magnitude (V)	4.1[3]
Apparent dimensions (V)	8′[3]
Physical characteristics
Other designations	Caldwell 64
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 2362 (also known as Caldwell 64) is an open cluster in the constellation Canis Major. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654. Its brightest star is Tau Canis Majoris, and therefore it is sometimes called the Tau Canis Majoris Cluster. NGC 2362 has a distance of 1.48 kpc and is a relatively young 4–5 million years in age. It is a massive open cluster, with more than 500 solar masses.^[4] The cluster is in relation with the giant nebula Sh2-310, that lies at the same distance.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "NGC 2362 -- Open (galactic) Cluster". SIMBAD. Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg. http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=NGC+2362. Retrieved 2010-03-07. 
2. ^ Lada, Charles J.; Reid, Mark J. (January 1, 1978). "CO observations of a molecular cloud complex associated with the bright rim near VY Canis Majoris". The Astrophysical Journal (American Astronomical Society) 219: 95–104. Bibcode 1978ApJ...219...95L. doi:10.1086/155758. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "NGC 2362". SEDS Online NGC Catalogue. http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/n2362.html. Retrieved 2010-12-04. 
4. ^ Currie, Thayne; et al. (June 2009). "The Last Gasp of Gas Giant Planet Formation: A Spitzer Study of the 5 Myr Old Cluster NGC 2362". The Astrophysical Journal 698 (1): 1–27. Bibcode 2009ApJ...698....1C. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/698/1/1. 
5. ^ Lada, C. J.; Reid, M. J. (gennaio 1978). "CO observations of a molecular cloud complex associated with the bright rim near VY Canis Majoris". Astrophysical Journal 219: 95–97, 99–104. Bibcode 1978ApJ...219...95L. doi:10.1086/155758. 

External links

• NGC 2362 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Coordinates: 07^h 18.8^m 00^s, +24° 57′ 00″