H-NGC2354
Open Cluster in Canis Major
About
A loose, scattered open cluster in Canis Major, listed in the Herschel 400 and also known as Collinder 131. Published distances differ widely, from about 4,300 to 12,400 light-years. About 15 of its stars can be picked out with binoculars.
Imaging tips
- Spans roughly 20′, so plan 1210–2020 mm on APS-C or 1860–3090 mm on full frame to fit it with some surrounding sky.
- One imager shot this sparse cluster through an 80 mm refractor, with 13 luminance frames of 3 minutes and 8 colour frames of 1 minute.
- A magnitude 5.9 star (26 Canis Majoris) sits close to the cluster in that 67′-wide image, so expect it in a wide frame.
- Surface brightness is 21.6 mag/arcsec², so broadband is the choice for a cluster; best around December and January, peaking near 14° from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 20′
- Magnitude
- 6.5
- Coordinates
- RA 7h 14.0m, Dec −25° 43′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1210–2020 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 1860–3090 mm
- Best months
- Jan, Dec
- Peak altitude
- 14° from 50°N, 29° from 35°N