Messier 41

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**Messier 41**
Observation data: J2000 epoch
A image of M41. Credit: 2MASS/NASA.
Class:	Open cluster
Constellation:
Right ascension:	06^h 46.0^m^[1]
Declination:	-20° 46′^[1]
Distance:	2,300 ly^{[citation needed]} (710 pc)
Apparent magnitude (V):	4.5^[1]
Apparent dimensions (V):	38′^{[citation needed]}
Physical characteristics
Mass:	(- M_☉)
Radius:	12.5 ly
V_HB:	-
Estimated age:	190-240 million yrs^{[citation needed]}
Notable features:	Canis Major
Other designations:	M 41,^[1] NGC 2287^[1]
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

Messier 41 (also known as M 41 or NGC 2287) is an open cluster in the Canis Major constellation. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and was perhaps known to Aristotle about 325 BC.^[2] M 41 is lying about 4 degrees nearly exactly south of Sirius and contains about 100 stars. Among these are several red giants, the brightest being spectral type K3, and located near its center. The cluster is estimated to be moving away from us at 23.3 km/s.^[1] The diameter of the cluster is between 25 and 26 light years long. Its age is estimated at between 190 and 240 million years old. M 41 may also be referred to as NGC 2287.