H-NGC2301
Open Cluster in Monoceros
About
An open cluster in Monoceros, about 2,840 light-years away and around 165 million years old. Binoculars as modest as 7x50 show it, and Wikipedia ranks it the top cluster of Monoceros for small telescopes.
Imaging tips
- Magnitude 6.0 and 20 mag/arcsec², bright enough to show in a modified DSLR with a light-pollution filter: one imager stacked four 8-minute frames at 530 mm.
- The same imager notes it lies about 6.5° southeast of the Rosette Nebula.
- 2,020–3,370 mm on APS-C or 3,090–5,160 mm on full frame fits a 12′ cluster.
- Best in December and January; it peaks near 40° altitude from 50°N, so it stays fairly low.
Facts
- Size
- 12′
- Magnitude
- 6.0
- Coordinates
- RA 6h 51.8m, Dec +0° 28′
- Framing, APS-C
- 2020–3370 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 3090–5160 mm
- Best months
- Jan, Dec
- Peak altitude
- 41° from 50°N, 56° from 35°N