H-NGC2546
Open Cluster in Puppis
About
Two overlapping open clusters in Puppis rather than one. The nearer, NGC 2546A, is about 3,100 light-years away and 180 million years old; the farther, NGC 2546B, is about 4,700 light-years away and under 10 million years old. Lacaille found it in 1751–1752.
Imaging tips
- Framing runs 590–990 mm on APS-C, or 910–1,510 mm on full frame, so a short telescope or telephoto lens suits it.
- At 23 mag/arcsec² the cluster is faint against the sky, so plan a long total integration.
- It is very low for northern observers: the peak altitude is only about 2° from 50°N and about 17° from 35°N.
- Best in January and February.
Facts
- Size
- 41′
- Magnitude
- 6.3
- Coordinates
- RA 8h 12.3m, Dec −37° 40′
- Framing, APS-C
- 590–990 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 910–1510 mm
- Best months
- Jan, Feb
- Peak altitude
- 2° from 50°N, 17° from 35°N