C54 · open cluster

NGC 2506

NGC 2506 is a mildly-elongated open cluster of stars in the equatorial constellation of Monoceros, located at a distance of 12.7 kly from the Sun near the Galactic anti-center.

RA08h 00m 01sDec−10° 46' 10"

Image: YayLol123. CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: C54
All designations: C54 · NGC 2506
Object type: Open Cluster
Constellation: Monoceros
Best viewing: Winter

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 08h 00m 01s
Declination (J2000): −10° 46' 10"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

NGC 2506 is a mildly-elongated open cluster of stars in the equatorial constellation of Monoceros, located at a distance of 12.7 kly from the Sun near the Galactic anti-center. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1791. The cluster lies around 10,000 ly from the Galactic Center and about 1,600 ly above the Galactic plane. It is of intermediate age, estimated at around two billion years. The cluster has an angular radius of 12′ and a core radius of 4.8′.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0