NGC 2374

NGC 2374
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension07h 24m 03.8s[1]
Declination−13° 14′ 06″[1]
Distance3,950 ly (1,212 pc)[2]
Apparent magnitude (V)8.0[3]
Apparent dimensions (V)19.0′[3]
Physical characteristics
Other designationsNGC 2374, Cr 139[4]
Associations
ConstellationCanis Major
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 2374 is an open cluster of stars in the Canis Major constellation.[3] It was discovered on January 31, 1785 by the German-British astronomer William Herschel.[5] This cluster is relatively rich in stars but is scattered across an angular diameter of 19.0′. It has an integrated visual magnitude of 8.0 and can be viewed with a modest amateur telescope.[3] NGC 2374 is located at a distance of approximately 3,950 light-years (1,212 pc) from the Sun.[2]

This association has a Trumpler class of II 3p, which means it is composed of both bright and faint stars (3) with little central concentration (II) and is sparsely populated with under 50 stars (p). The cluster has a core radius of 6.4 ± 2.4 ly (1.95 ± 0.74 pc) and a tidal radius of 85 ± 31 ly (26.00 ± 9.57 pc).[6] The estimated age of the cluster is around 75 million years. At least 20 stars of magnitude 14 or greater have been identified as probable members. Two candidate blue stragglers have been identified.[7] The distance to this cluster places it in the Orion-Cygnus arm of the Milky Way.[8]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Tarricq_et_al_2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Poggio_et_al_2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Gilmour_2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference SIMBAD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference cseligman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tarricq_et_al_2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rain_et_al_2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Babu_1985 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).