| IC 2602 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 10h 42m 57.5s[1] |
| Declination | −64° 23′ 39″ |
| Distance | 486 ly[2] (149 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 1.9[3] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 50′ × 50′ |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Estimated age | 13.7 M.yr−1 |
| Other designations | Theta Carinae Cluster, Caldwell 102, Cr 229, Mel 102, VDBH 103[2] |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Carina |
IC 2602 (also known as the Southern Pleiades, Theta Carinae Cluster, or Caldwell 102)[4] is an open cluster in the constellation Carina. Discovered by Abbe Lacaille in 1751 from South Africa,[5] the cluster is easily visible to the unaided eye, and is one of the nearest star clusters, centred about 149 parsecs (486 light-years) away from Earth.
- ^ "NED results for object IC 2602". National Aeronautics and Space Administration / Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ a b "IC 2602". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg.
- ^ "IC 2602 - SEDS Messier Database". Retrieved 23 January 2016.
- ^ O'Meara, Stephen James (2016-09-26). Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-316-03353-1.
- ^ Jones, K. G. (March 1969). "The search for the nebulae - VI". Journal of the British Astronomical Association. 79: 213–222. Bibcode:1969JBAA...79..213J.