| NGC 2070 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 2070 (ESO) Credit: ESO/IDA/Danish 1.5 m/R. Gendler, C. C. Thöne, C. Féron, and J.-E. Ovaldsen | |
| Observation data (J2000epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 05h 38m 42s[1] |
| Declination | −69° 06′ 00″[1] |
| Distance | 157 kly (48.5 kpc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.25[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 3.50′ × 3.50′ |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | Caldwell 103, PKS 0539-69 |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Dorado |
| See also:Open cluster,List of open clusters | |
NGC 2070 (also known asCaldwell 103) is a largeopen cluster and candidatesuper star cluster forming the heart of the bright region in the centre-south-east of theLarge Magellanic Cloud.[2] This cluster was discovered by French astronomerNicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752.[3] It is at the centre of theTarantula Nebula and produces most of the energy that makes the latter's gas and dust visible. Its central condensation is the star clusterR136, one of the most energetic star clusters known.[4] Among its stars are many of great dimension, including the second most massive star known,R136a1, at 215M☉ and 6.16 millionL☉.
Media related toNGC 2070 at Wikimedia Commons