NGC 2516
NGC 2516
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension07h 58m 20s
Declination−60° 52′
Distance1.3 kly
Apparent magnitude (V)3.8
Apparent dimensions (V)30.0′
Physical characteristics
Mass105 to 106 M☉
Other designationsNGC 2516, Caldwell 96, Cr 172
Associations
ConstellationCarina

NGC 2516 (also known as Caldwell 96) is an open star cluster in the southern sky in the constellation Carina discovered by Abbe Lacaille in 1751-1752. It is also called Southern Beehive[1][2] or the Sprinter.[3][4]

Description

This bright cluster itself is easily visible with the naked eye as a hazy patch, but is resolvable into stars using binoculars. It contains two 5th magnitude red giant stars and three main visual double stars: HJ 4027, HJ 4031 and I 29. A small telescope would be required to split the double stars, which are all pairs of 8-9 magnitude and 1-10 arcseconds separation.[5]

NGC 2516 and the recently discovered nearby star cluster Mamajek 2 in Ophiuchus have similar age and metallicity. Recently, kinematic evidence was presented by E. Jilinski and coauthors that suggests that these two stellar groups may have formed in the same star-forming complex some 135 million years ago.[6]

The cluster is surrounded by the 500-parsec diameter halo consisting of stars ejected from cluster.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Weule, Genelle (2010). "Beginner's Guide to the Night Sky : Summer Sky Tour". abc.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Ventrudo, Brian (2009). "ESA's 'The "Southern Beehive" Cluster". americaspace.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Papadopoulos, Leonidas (2014). "ESA's 'Mission: Impossible' Sees First Light: Gaia Opens Her Eyes to the Galaxy « AmericaSpace". americaspace.com. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Imaging the Southern Sky : An Amateur Astronomer's Guide Chadwick, S., Cooper, I., pg.viii, Pub. Springer (2012)
  5. ↑ Robert Burnham Jr. (1978). "Burnham's Celestial Handbook": 458. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ Jilinski, E.; Ortega, V.G.; de la Reza, R.; Drake, N.A.; et al. (2009). "Dynamical Evolution and Spectral Characteristics of the Stellar Group Mamajek 2". Astrophysical Journal. 691 (1): 212. arXiv:0810.1198. Bibcode:2009ApJ...691..212J. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/691/1/212. S2CID 15570695.
  7. ↑ Bouma, L. G.; Curtis, J. L.; Hartman, J. D.; Winn, J. N.; Bakos, G. Á. (2021), "Rotation and Lithium Confirmation of a 500 pc Halo for the Open Cluster NGC 2516", The Astronomical Journal, 162 (5): 197, arXiv:2107.08050, Bibcode:2021AJ....162..197B, doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ac18cd, S2CID 236088158

Bibliography

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