H-NGC2324
Open Cluster in Monoceros
About
A faint, distant open cluster in Monoceros, listed at 12,400 to 13,600 light-years depending on the source. William Herschel found it in 1786, and it sits farther out than the Perseus arm.
Imaging tips
- Only 8′ across and magnitude 8.4: 3,030–5,050 mm on APS-C; the cluster is too small for a full-frame range.
- At 21.5 mag/arcsec² it is dim for its size, so plan on long broadband integration. One imager used a mono camera with LRGB under Bortle 8 skies.
- One imager describes the stars as forming an X shape.
- Best in December and January; it peaks near 41° altitude from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 8′
- Magnitude
- 8.4
- Coordinates
- RA 7h 4.1m, Dec +1° 3′
- Framing, APS-C
- 3030–5050 mm
- Framing, full frame
- longer than 4000 mm
- Best months
- Jan, Dec
- Peak altitude
- 41° from 50°N, 56° from 35°N