NGC 3766

NGC 3766
NGC 3766 image taken with the MPG/ESO 1.2-metre telescope at the La Silla Observatory[1]
Credit: ESO
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Centaurus
Right ascension 11h 36.1m
Declination −61° 37′
Distance 5.5 kly
Apparent magnitude (V) 5.3
Apparent dimensions (V) 12.0′
Physical characteristics
Radius 9.6 ly
Notable features Easy to view via binoculars or telescope
Other designations NGC 3766, Lacaille III.7, Dunlop 289, Melotte 107, Collinder 248, C1133-613, Caldwell 97
Map showing the location of NGC 3766.

NGC 3766 is an open star cluster in the southern constellation Centaurus. It is located in the vast star-forming region known as the Carina molecular cloud, and was discovered by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille during his astrometric survey in 1751–1752. At a distance of about 1745 pc,[2] the cluster subtends a diameter of about 12 minutes of arc.[3]

There are 137 listed stars, but many are likely non-members, with only 36 having accurate photometric data.[4] Total apparent magnitude of 5.3 and integrated spectral type of B1.7.[2] NGC 3766 is relatively young that is estimated as log (7.160) or 14.4 million years,[3] and approaching us at 14.8 km/s.[2] This cluster contains eleven Be stars, two red supergiants and four Ap stars.[4]

36 examples of an unusual type of variable star were discovered in the cluster. These fast-rotating pulsating B-type stars vary by only a few hundredths of a magnitude with periods less than half a day. They are main sequence stars, hotter than δ Scuti variables and cooler than slowly pulsating B stars.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "New Kind of Variable Star Discovered". ESO Press Release. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "NGC 3766". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  3. 1 2 "WEBDA Astronomical Database". WEBDA Page for NGC 3766. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  4. 1 2 "Webda Astronomical Database". WEBDA Page for NGC 3766a. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  5. ↑ Saio, H; Ekström, S; Mowlavi, N; Georgy, C; Saesen, S; Eggenberger, P; Semaan, T; Salmon, S. J. A. J (2017). "Period–luminosity relations of fast-rotating B-type stars in the young open cluster NGC 3766". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 467 (4): 3864. arXiv:1702.02306. Bibcode:2017MNRAS.467.3864S. doi:10.1093/mnras/stx346.

Coordinates: 11h 36m 06s, −61° 37′ 00″

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.