| NGC 2374 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Observation data (J2000.0epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 07h 24m 03.8s[1] |
| Declination | −13° 14′ 06″[1] |
| Distance | 3,950 ly (1,212 pc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 8.0[3] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 19.0′[3] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | NGC 2374,Cr 139[4] |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Canis Major |
| See also:Open cluster,List of open clusters | |
NGC 2374 is anopen cluster of stars in theCanis Majorconstellation.[3] It was discovered on January 31, 1785 by the German-British astronomerWilliam Herschel.[5] This cluster is relatively rich in stars but is scattered across anangular diameter of19.0′. 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 3,950light-years (1,212 pc) from theSun.[2]
This association has aTrumpler 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 acore radius of 6.4 ± 2.4 ly (1.95 ± 0.74 pc) and atidal 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 candidateblue stragglers have been identified.[7] The distance to this cluster places it in theOrion-Cygnus arm of theMilky Way.[8]
Media related toNGC 2374 at Wikimedia Commons
