NGC 2516

NGC 2516
NGC 2516
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Right ascension07h 58m 20s
Declination−60° 52′
Distance1.3 kly
Apparent magnitude (V)3.8[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)22′[1]
Physical characteristics
Mass105 to 106 M☉
Other designationsNGC 2516, Caldwell 96, Cr 172
Associations
ConstellationCarina[1]

NGC 2516 is an open cluster of stars in the southern constellation of Carina.[1] Alternatively, it is called Southern Beehive[2][3] or the Sprinter,[4][5] and is catalogued as Caldwell 96. This formation was discovered by French astronomer Abbe Lacaille in 1751-1752.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

The cluster is surrounded by the 500-parsec diameter halo consisting of stars ejected from cluster.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Finlay, Warren H. (2014). Concise Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects. The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (2nd ed.). Springer Cham. p. 220. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-03170-5. ISBN 978-3-319-03169-9.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Ventrudo, Brian (2009). "ESA's 'The "Southern Beehive" Cluster". americaspace.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Papadopoulos, Leonidas (2014). "ESA's 'Mission: Impossible' Sees First Light: Gaia Opens Her Eyes to the Galaxy « AmericaSpace". americaspace.com. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  5. ↑ Imaging the Southern Sky : An Amateur Astronomer's Guide Chadwick, S., Cooper, I., pg.viii, Pub. Springer (2012)
  6. ↑ Jones, K. G. (March 1969). "The search for the nebulae - VI". Journal of the British Astronomical Association. 79: 213–222. Bibcode:1969JBAA...79..213J.
  7. ↑ Burnham Jr., Robert (1978). Burnham's Celestial Handbook. p. 458.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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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