M 37
OPEN STAR CLUSTER
Right Ascension:
5h 52m 21s
Best Seen:
12/15-5/15
Declination:
32ยบ 33' 06"
Magnitude:
6.2
Computer File:
m37
Constellation:
Auriga
Actual
Compared to
Distance
4,400 l.y.
--
Actual Brightness
--
--
Number of stars
500
--
Diameter
20-25 l.y.
--
Age
300 million years
--
Integrated Spectral Type
--
--
WHAT TO LOOK FOR THROUGH THE TELESCOPE:
-
Recommended eyepiece: 40mm or 80 mm.
-
Through the telescope the cluster will appear as a group of individual stars, resembling sugar or salt sprinkled on a dark table top.
M37 INFORMATION:
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Average separation of stars in this cluster is about 1 light year.
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The total luminosity of this cluster is 2,500 times the luminosity of the sun. Hence there are a number of bright stars in this cluster.
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This cluster was discovered before in 1654 by Giovanni Batista Hodierna. It was independently found by Charles Messier in 1764.
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This is the brightest of three open clusters in southern Auriga.
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M37 contains a considerable number of red giants.
Item
Updated
Notes
Coordinates
12-10-2002
split difference between SIMBAD (05 52 19 +32 33.2) and http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html (05 52.4 +32 33)
Magnitude
12-10-2002
OK with SIMBAD and http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html
Distance
12-10-2002
OK with http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html
Actual Brightness
Number of Stars
12-10-2002
OK with http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html
Diameter
12-10-2002
OK with http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html
Age
12-10-2002
OK with http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html
Integrated Spectral Type
Other Information
12-10-2002
Cannot find support for Items 1-2
Other info from http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m037.html