Westerlund 1
Westerlund 1 is an open cluster in the constellation Ara, about 12,940 light-years from Earth.
Most massive young cluster in our galaxy
Facts
| Type | Open cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Ara |
| Position (J2000) | 16h 47m 02s, −45° 51′ |
| Distance | 12,940 light-years (its light set off about 12,940 years ago) |
| Size on the sky | 3′ × 3′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Studied in | 673 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Westerlund 1 is highest in the sky at midnight in June. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 24° above the horizon; from 50° N it never rises.
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 Ara
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits