Andromeda
Log inJoin

Open star cluster

Messier 41

Also M41 · NGC 2287

Open in OuranosCompare its size

An open cluster: a family of stars born together from one cloud, slowly drifting apart.

Measured

Distance
2,332 light-years
Size
about 22 light-years across (approximate)
Constellation
Canis Major
Position (J2000)
RA 6h 45m 59s, Dec −20.70°

How far, from the Sun

2,330 light-years. To cross it:

  • Light2,330 years
  • Voyager 1's speed41.4 million years
  • Driving at 100 km/h25.2 billion years

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

Facts

  • It sits about 4 degrees south of Sirius and has a combined magnitude of 4.5.
  • Gaia picks out about 948 member stars (Hunt & Reffert 2023).

Where this comes from

  • Hunt & Reffert 2023, A&A 673, A114: Gaia DR3 cluster distance 715.1 pc (16th–84th percentile 714.6–715.5 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.