C71
NGC 2477
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
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About C71
Description
NGC 2477 is one of the richest open clusters in the sky, located in Puppis about 3,600 light-years away. It contains roughly 300 stars within a diameter of 27 arcminutes and has sometimes been mistaken for a globular cluster due to its dense concentration.
Observing Tips
A spectacular cluster in any telescope. Binoculars show a rich, hazy patch. A 4-inch telescope resolves dozens of stars, and an 8-inch scope at 80-120x is breathtaking with hundreds of stars filling the field. Best in winter evenings.
History
Discovered by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751 from South Africa during his southern sky survey. It is considered one of the finest open clusters in the southern sky.
Fun Facts
NGC 2477 is about 700 million years old and so rich that its total mass and density approach those of a sparse globular cluster. It is one of the most massive open clusters in the Milky Way.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: Guillermo Abramson. License: CC BY 3.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026