Star Cluster: Difference between revisions
Adding categories |
Added Subsections to Orion Nebula. |
||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
== Orion Nebula == | == Orion Nebula == | ||
[[File:Orion Nebula.png|thumb|188x188px|ORION NEBULA]] | [[File:Orion Nebula.png|thumb|188x188px|ORION NEBULA]] | ||
=== The '''Orion Nebula''' (also known as Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula situated in the Milky Way. It is one of the brightest nebulae and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky. The M42 nebula is estimated to be 24 light-years across. It is one of the most scrutinized and photographed objects in the night sky and is among the most intensely studied celestial features. The '''Orion Nebula''' contains a very young open cluster, known as the '''Trapezium''' due to the asterism (any pattern of stars recognized in the Earth's night sky) of its primary four stars. === | |||
There are eight star clusters associated with the nebulae in the Orion region: | There are eight star clusters associated with the nebulae in the Orion region: | ||
# Trapezium | # Trapezium | ||
| Line 72: | Line 73: | ||
# NGC 2232 | # NGC 2232 | ||
# NGC 1980 | # NGC 1980 | ||
=== Trapezium === | |||
The '''Trapezium''' or Orion Trapezium Cluster, also known by its Bayer designation of Theta Orionis, is a tight open cluster of stars in the heart of the '''Orion Nebula''', in the constellation of Orion. It is a relatively young cluster that has formed directly out of the parent nebula and may be a sub-component of the larger '''Orion Nebula Cluster'''. | The '''Trapezium''' or Orion Trapezium Cluster, also known by its Bayer designation of Theta Orionis, is a tight open cluster of stars in the heart of the '''Orion Nebula''', in the constellation of Orion. It is a relatively young cluster that has formed directly out of the parent nebula and may be a sub-component of the larger '''Orion Nebula Cluster'''. | ||
This star cluster is most readily identifiable by the asterism of four relatively bright stars for which it is named. The four are often identified as A, B, C, and D in order of increasing right ascension. The brightest of the four stars is C, or Theta Orionis C. | This star cluster is most readily identifiable by the asterism of four relatively bright stars for which it is named. The four are often identified as A, B, C, and D in order of increasing right ascension. The brightest of the four stars is C, or Theta Orionis C. | ||
=== NGC 1981 === | |||
[[File:NGC 1981.png|thumb|186x186px|NGC 1981]] | [[File:NGC 1981.png|thumb|186x186px|NGC 1981]] | ||
'''NGC 1981''' is a young, bright open cluster visible in the constellation of Orion. It is a collection of about 20 or so stars (largely magnitudes 7 through 10) and is about 40 light-years closer to Earth than the Orion Nebula. | '''NGC 1981''' is a young, bright open cluster visible in the constellation of Orion. It is a collection of about 20 or so stars (largely magnitudes 7 through 10) and is about 40 light-years closer to Earth than the Orion Nebula. | ||
[[File:Collinder 70.png|thumb|186x186px|COLLINDER 70]] | [[File:Collinder 70.png|thumb|186x186px|COLLINDER 70]] | ||
=== Collinder 70 === | |||
'''Collinder 70 is '''a large open cluster, located around the belt of Orion. It includes all three belt stars: Mintaka (the Girdle), Alnilam (The string of Pearls) and Alnitak (the Belt). The cluster has a diameter of almost 3 degrees and consists of 100 stars or more. | '''Collinder 70 is '''a large open cluster, located around the belt of Orion. It includes all three belt stars: Mintaka (the Girdle), Alnilam (The string of Pearls) and Alnitak (the Belt). The cluster has a diameter of almost 3 degrees and consists of 100 stars or more. | ||
[[File:Collinder 69.png|thumb|187x187px|COLLINDER 69]] | [[File:Collinder 69.png|thumb|187x187px|COLLINDER 69]] | ||
=== Collinder 69 === | |||
'''Collinder 69''' is an open star cluster located north-west of the star Betelgeuse in the constellation of Orion. It is about five million years old and roughly 1,300 ly (400 pc) away from the Sun. Included within the cluster is a double star named Meissa. | '''Collinder 69''' is an open star cluster located north-west of the star Betelgeuse in the constellation of Orion. It is about five million years old and roughly 1,300 ly (400 pc) away from the Sun. Included within the cluster is a double star named Meissa. | ||
=== NGC 1977 === | |||
[to come] | |||
=== NGC 2232 === | |||
[to come] | |||
=== NGC 1980 === | |||
[to come] | |||
These group of clusters can be found by plotting a course to '''HD 36560'''. | These group of clusters can be found by plotting a course to '''HD 36560'''. | ||