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Open star cluster

The Omicron Velorum Cluster

Also IC 2391 · Caldwell 85

Open in OuranosCompare its size

One of the nearest young open clusters, a naked-eye group of bright stars in Vela.

Measured

Distance
490 light-years
Size
about 12 light-years across (approximate)
Constellation
Vela
Position (J2000)
RA 8h 41m 02s, Dec −53.04°

How far, from the Sun

490 light-years. To cross it:

  • Light490 years
  • Voyager 1's speed8.71 million years
  • Driving at 100 km/h5.29 billion years

Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.

Facts

  • Gaia picks out about 376 member stars (Hunt & Reffert 2023).

How it was found

  • Al Sufi recorded it in the 10th century.

Where this comes from

  • Hunt & Reffert 2023, A&A 673, A114: Gaia DR3 cluster distance 150.2 pc (16th–84th percentile 150.2–150.2 pc)
  • This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, CDS, Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS 143, 9).
  • This research has made use of the VizieR catalogue access tool, CDS, Strasbourg, France (DOI: 10.26093/cds/vizier).

Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.