C50
NGC 2244
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
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About C50
Description
NGC 2244 is the bright open cluster at the center of the Rosette Nebula (C49) in Monoceros, about 5,200 light-years away. It contains about 16 hot, luminous OB-type stars arranged in a rectangular pattern, spanning about 24 arcminutes.
Observing Tips
An easy and attractive cluster even without the nebula. Binoculars show several bright stars in a distinctive rectangle. A telescope at 30-50x frames it nicely. To see the surrounding Rosette Nebula, add an OIII filter. Best in winter.
History
Discovered by John Flamsteed around 1690. The cluster is only about 2 million years old and its massive stars are responsible for illuminating and sculpting the Rosette Nebula.
Fun Facts
The most massive star in NGC 2244 is the O5 star HD 46223, which is about 50 times more massive than the Sun and 400,000 times as luminous. These stars will end their lives as supernovae within the next few million years.
