M41 (NGC 2287)

Also known as M41 · M 41 · NGC 2287

M41 (NGC 2287) is an open star cluster in the constellation Canis Major, about 2,270 light-years from Earth.

Open it on the live sky map Plan Night Exploration

M41 (NGC 2287): a sky-survey photograph of its field — Sky survey view (DSS2 colour, or a backup survey)

Facts

Type	Open star cluster
Constellation	Canis Major
Position (J2000)	6h 45m 59s, −20° 45′
Distance	2,270 light-years (its light set off about 2,270 years ago)
Brightness	magnitude 4.5 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6)
Size on the sky	39.8′ × 39.8′ (the full Moon is about 31′)
Filter	No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.)
Studied in	319 scientific papers (SIMBAD)

When and how to see it

M41 (NGC 2287) is highest in the sky at midnight in January. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 49° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 19°. To see it you need the naked eye from a dark site.

Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.

For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.

More in Canis Major

Everything in Canis Major · All 88 constellations · All sky objects

Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits