H-NGC2215
Open Cluster in Monoceros
About
A modest open cluster in Monoceros, about 2,600 light-years away by a 2015 photometric study, which put its age near 700 million years and found it metal-poor compared with the Sun. William Herschel discovered it in 1785, and it is in the Herschel 400.
Imaging tips
- Sources give 8–12′ across, depending on the author. At 2200–3670 mm on APS-C (3380–5630 mm full frame) it takes a third to half of the frame.
- Low surface brightness at 22.2 mag/arcsec², so broadband data suits it; the stars are mostly 11th to 15th magnitude in Dreyer's description.
- Best around December and January; it peaks near 33° from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 11′
- Magnitude
- 8.4
- Coordinates
- RA 6h 20.8m, Dec −7° 17′
- Framing, APS-C
- 2200–3670 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 3380–5630 mm
- Best months
- Jan, Dec
- Peak altitude
- 33° from 50°N, 48° from 35°N