Westerlund 2
Westerlund 2 is an open cluster in the constellation Carina, about 20,870 light-years from Earth.
Young cluster of massive stars
Facts
| Type | Open cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Carina |
| Position (J2000) | 10h 23m 58s, −57° 45′ |
| Distance | 20,870 light-years (its light set off about 20,870 years ago) |
| Size on the sky | 2.4′ × 2.4′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Studied in | 411 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Westerlund 2 is highest in the sky at midnight in February. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 12° 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 Carina
- Bullet Cluster
- Canopus
- Carina Nebula
- Eta Carinae
- Homunculus Nebula
- Statue of Liberty Nebula
- Toby Jug Nebula (IC 2220)
- Wishing Well Cluster (NGC 3532)
Everything in Carina · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits