NGC 2266

NGC 2266
SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey) image
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Right ascension06h 43m 19.7s[1]
Declination+26° 58′ 34″[1]
Distance10,603 ly (3,251.0 pc)[2]
Apparent magnitude (V)9.5[3]
Apparent dimensions (V)5.0[3]
Physical characteristics
Radius16.1 ly
Estimated age81.2 Myr[2]
Other designationsNGC 2266, Cr 113, Mel 50, Lund 250[4]
Associations
ConstellationGemini
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 2266 is an open cluster[5] of stars in the constellation of Gemini. It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on 7 December 1785.[6] This is a relatively dim cluster with an integrated visual magnitude of 9.5 and an angular size of 5.0. The stellar members can be readily resolved with an amateur telescope.[3] NGC 2266 is located at a distance of 10,603 ly (3,251.0 pc) from the Sun.[2] It is located close to the opposite part of the sky from the Galactic Center, or the anti-center.[7]

This is a rich cluster that is well condensed.[8] It is of intermediate age; similar to the ages of the Hyades and Praesepe clusters. However, it has a lower metallicity than either cluster.[7] NGC 2266 has a heliocentric radial velocity of −16±15 km/s.[9] A 2008 study found 12 variable stars in the field of this cluster, although they lie outside the cluster radius.[8] A single candidate blue straggler has been identified.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tarricq, Y.; et al. (March 2021). "3D kinematics and age distribution of the open cluster population". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 647. id. A19. arXiv:2012.04017. Bibcode:2021A&A...647A..19T. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202039388.
  2. ^ a b c Poggio, E.; et al. (2021). "Galactic spiral structure revealed by Gaia EDR3". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 651: A104. arXiv:2103.01970. Bibcode:2021A&A...651A.104P. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202140687.
  3. ^ a b c O'Meara, Stephen James (2007). Herschel 400 Observing Guide. Cambridge University Press. p. 72. ISBN 9780521858939.
  4. ^ "NGC 2266". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  5. ^ "Open cluster NGC 2266". WEBDA, A site Devoted to Stellar Clusters in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds. University of Vienna. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  6. ^ Seligman, Courtney. "NGC Objects: NGC 2250 - 2299". cseligman.com. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  7. ^ a b Kaluzny, Janusz; Mazur, Beata (1991). "The Hyades age anticenter cluster NGC 2266". Acta Astronautica. 41: 191–212. Bibcode:1991AcA....41..191K.
  8. ^ a b Maciejewski, G.; et al. (2008). "Photometric Study of Open Clusters NGC 2266 and NGC 7762". Baltic Astronomy. 17: 51–65. Bibcode:2008BaltA..17...51M.
  9. ^ Carrera, R. (August 2012). "Radial velocities and metallicities from infrared Ca II triplet spectroscopy of open clusters Berkeley 26, Berkeley 70, NGC 1798, and NGC 2266". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 544. id. A109. arXiv:1207.3244. Bibcode:2012A&A...544A.109C. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201219625.
  10. ^ Rain, M. J.; et al. (June 2021). "A new, Gaia-based, catalogue of blue straggler stars in open clusters". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 650. id. A67. arXiv:2103.06004. Bibcode:2021A&A...650A..67R. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202040072.
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