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Open Cluster Messier 41 in Canis Major

Messier 41 (also known as M41 or NGC 2287) is an open cluster in the constellation Canis Major, sometimes referred to as The Little Beehive Cluster. The cluster covers an area about the size of the full Moon. It contains about 100 stars, including several red giants the brightest of which has spectral type K3, apparent magnitude 6.3 and is near the center, and some white dwarfs.

 

Observation data (J2000 epoch)

Right ascension: 06h 46.0m

Declination: −20° 46′

Distance: 2,300 ly

Apparent magnitude (V): 4.5

Apparent dimensions (V): 38 arcmin

Estimated age190 million yrs

 

Tech Specs: Williams Optics Redcat51 Telescope, ZWO ASI071MC camera running at -10F, 43 x 60 seconds, Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in DSS and PixInsight. Image Date: February 6, 2024. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).

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Uploaded on May 25, 2025