NGC 6281

NGC 6281
NGC 6281
Credit: DECaPS
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Right ascension17h 04.7m [1]
Declination−37° 59′[1]
Distance1,611 ly (494 pc)[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)5.4[2]
Physical characteristics
Mass214[3] M☉
Estimated age3.23 × 108 yr[1]
Other designationsC 1701-378[2]
Associations
ConstellationScorpius
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters
Map showing the location of NGC 6281

NGC 6281 (also informally known as the Moth Wing Cluster[4]) is an open cluster of stars in the constellation Scorpius. It was not included in the Messier or Caldwell catalogues of nebulous objects, but it is the brightest such cluster in the constellation to be left out of both. It is readily observed with the naked eye; it is located about 2° to the east of Mu Scorpii. James Dunlop described the cluster as a "curiously curved line of pretty bright stars, with many stars mixt". John Herschel then described the cluster as both "pretty bright" and "pretty rich".[5][6]

This cluster has a tidal radius of 26 ly (8.0 pc) and a mass of about 214 solar masses.[3] It is classified as a type II2p cluster and has 55 members with a visual magnitude of 13.5 or greater within 20 arcminutes of the center.[7] The brightest member is 9th magnitude. Overall, the cluster has an integrated visual magnitude of 5.4.[6]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference aaa438_3_1163 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference simbad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference aaa477_1_165 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "NGC 6281 the Moth Wing Cluster". AstroBin. 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference crossen_rhemman2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference omeara2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference aass61_45 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).