NGC 2477

NGC 2477
Open cluster NGC 2477 in Puppis
Observation data (2000 epoch)
Constellation	Puppis
Right ascension	07h 52m 09.8s[1]
Declination	-38° 32′ 00″[1]
Distance	~ 3600 ly[2] (~ 1100 pc[2])
Apparent magnitude (V)	5.8[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)	27′[1]
Physical characteristics
Other designations	Caldwell 71
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 2477 (also known as Caldwell 71) is an open cluster in the constellation Puppis. It contains about 300 stars,^[3] and was discovered by Abbe Lacaille in 1751.^[3] The cluster's age has been estimated at about 700 million years.^[3]

Visual appearance

NGC 2477 is a stunning cluster, almost as extensive in the sky as the full moon. It has been called "one of the top open clusters in the sky",^[1] like a highly-resolved globular cluster without the dense center characteristic of globular clusters. Burnham notes that several observers have remarked on its richness, and that although it is smaller than M46 (also an open cluster in Puppis), it is richer and more compact.^[2]

Distance

Burnham cites several published distances, ranging from 700 pc to 1900 pc.^[2] The average of these is about 1100 pc or 3600 light-years.

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "NGC/IC Project Public Database". Results for NGC 2477. http://www.ngcicproject.org/ngcicdb.asp. Retrieved 2010-12-13. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Robert Burnham, Jr. (1978). Burnham's Celestial Handbook. III. New York: Dover. p. 1516. ISBN 0-486-24065-7. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "NGC 2477". SEDS Messier Objects Database. http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/n2477.html. Retrieved 2010-12-13. 

External links

• NGC 2477 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Coordinates: 07^h 52.3^m 00^s, +38° 33′ 00″