NGC 2516

NGC 2516 (also known as Caldwell 96) is an open star cluster in the southern sky in the constellation Carina discovered by Abbe Lacaille in 1751-1752. It is also called Southern Beehive[1][2] or the Sprinter.[3][4]

NGC 2516
NGC 2516
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
ConstellationCarina
Right ascension7h 58m 20s
Declination−60° 52′
Distance1.3 kly
Apparent magnitude (V)3.8
Apparent dimensions (V)30.0′
Physical characteristics
Mass105 to 106 M☉
Other designationsNGC 2516, Caldwell 96, Cr 172

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.[5]

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.[6]

References
  1. Weule, Genelle (2010). "Beginner's Guide to the Night Sky : Summer Sky Tour". abc.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. Ventrudo, Brian (2009). "ESA's 'The "Southern Beehive" Cluster". americaspace.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  3. Papadopoulos, Leonidas (2014). "ESA's 'Mission: Impossible' Sees First Light: Gaia Opens Her Eyes to the Galaxy « AmericaSpace". americaspace.com. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  4. Imaging the Southern Sky : An Amateur Astronomer’s Guide Chadwick, S., Cooper, I., pg.viii, Pub. Springer (2012)
  5. Burnham (1978), Vol I p.458
  6. 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.

Bibliography
  • Burnham, Robert. Burnham's Celestial Handbook. Dover, 1978. ISBN 0-486-23567-X.


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