< Messier Index
Messier 38

M38 open cluster, source: w:NOAO
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
Constellation Auriga
Right ascension 5h 28m 42s
Declination +35° 51′ 18″
Distance 4.2 kly (1.3 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V) 7.4
Apparent dimensions (V) 21′
Other designations w:NGC 1912

Messier 38 (also known as M38 or NGC 1912) is an w:open cluster in the w:Auriga constellation.

It was discovered by w:Giovanni Batista Hodierna before w:1654 and independently found by w:Le Gentil in w:1749. w:M36 and w:M37, also discovered by Hodierna, are grouped together with w:M38 at a distance of about 3,420 w:light years away from w:Earth.[1]

The cluster's brightest stars form a pattern resembling the Greek letter Pi or, according to Webb, an "oblique cross." At its distance of 4,200 light years, its angular diameter of about 20' corresponds to about 25 light years, similar to that of its more distant neighbor M37. It is of intermediate age (about 220 million years, according to Sky Catalog 2000) and features a yellow giant of w:apparent magnitude +7.9 and w:spectral type G0 as its brightest member. This corresponds to an w:absolute magnitude of -1.5, or a luminosity of 900 suns. For comparison, the w:Sun would appear as a faint magnitude +15.3 star from the distance of M38.

Components

NAMEw:Right ascensionw:Declinationw:Spectral type
w:HD 3551905h 26m 54.3176s+35° 27' 26.181 K2
NGC 1912 HOAG 2B5II-III
NGC 1912 HOAG 3
NGC 1912 HOAG 405h 28m 35.39s+35° 52' 51.2 A0V
NGC 1912 HOAG 505h 28m 50.73s+35° 46' 47.2 A0Vn
NGC 1912 HOAG 605h 28m 10.46s+35° 55' 26.0 A0:V
NGC 1912 HOAG 705h 28m 34.25s+35° 53' 29.7 A2V
NGC 1912 HOAG 11
NGC 1912 HOAG 19K2IIIb
NGC 1912 HOAG 104G5III
NGC 1912 SS G2
NGC 1912 HOAG 128K0III
NGC 1912 SS G4A5:V
NGC 1912 HOAG 153K0V
NGC 1912 SS G3A3V
NGC 1912 HOAG 160K1IV
NGC 1912 HOAG 161G5V
NGC 1912 HOAG 171G7IV
NGC 1912 HOAG 172

References

  1. ↑ Majaess D. J., Turner D., Lane D. (2007). In Search of Possible Associations between Planetary Nebulae and Open Clusters, PASP, 119, 1349
 
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