| NGC 2362 | |
|---|---|
NGC 2362. By examining the young star cluster, astronomers have studied gas giant planet formation. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA |
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| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Canis Major |
| Right ascension | 07h 18.6m[1] |
| Declination | –24° 59′[1] |
| Distance | 4.8 ± 1.6 kly (1.5 ± 0.5 kpc[2]) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 4.1[3] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 8′[3] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | Caldwell 64 |
| See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters | |
NGC 2362 (also known as Caldwell 64) is an open cluster in the constellation Canis Major. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654. Its brightest star is Tau Canis Majoris, and therefore it is sometimes called the Tau Canis Majoris Cluster. NGC 2362 has a distance of 1.48 kpc and is a relatively young 4–5 million years in age. It is a massive open cluster, with more than 500 solar masses.[4] The cluster is in relation with the giant nebula Sh2-310, that lies at the same distance.[5]
Coordinates: 07h 18.8m 00s, +24° 57′ 00″
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