Great Bird Cluster

Pierre Moutounet-Cartan
Mar 1
1 min read

About this object

NGC 2301 is a gem of an open cluster located in the constellation Monoceros, offering amateur astronomers a spectacular view through small telescopes. Discovered by William Herschel in 1786, this cluster is often regarded as the finest open cluster in Monoceros for small-aperture instruments. Located about 5° northwest of Delta Monocerotis and 2° southeast of 18 Monocerotis, NGC 2301 is easily found and visible even through 7x50 binoculars. The cluster’s brightest star is an orange G8 subgiant of magnitude 8.0, though it may be a foreground star rather than a true member. NGC 2301 also boasts a population of hot, blue giants, with the brightest main sequence star being a B9-type star shining at magnitude 9.1. The cluster spans about 12 arcminutes and is located approximately 2,500 light-years from Earth, with an estimated age of around 150–200 million years. Its stars are loosely arranged, creating a striking contrast against the backdrop of the Milky Way. Studies of NGC 2301 reveal a dynamic environment, with some stars exhibiting variability and others showing signs of stellar evolution. For amateur astronomers, this cluster is a rewarding target, offering a mix of bright stars and subtle details that make it a standout in the winter sky.