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IC 2391

Open Cluster Excellent (69/100)
IC 2391 OpenCluster Vel Visible Level 1 Naked eye / Binoculars - Wide field preferred
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Properties

Magnitude 2.5
Angular Size 29.1′
Cl, co, incl *3.7 (o Vel)

Position & Identifiers

RA 08h 40m 12.0s
Dec -53° 04' 00.0"
Constellation Vel
Catalog IC 2391

Visibility

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Eyepiece View

43x TFOV: 1.2° Lim. mag: 13.3
N E

IC 2391 · 29.1′ diameter · N up, E left

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About IC 2391

Description

The Omicron Velorum Cluster (IC 2391) is a bright, nearby open cluster in Vela, about 574 light-years away. At magnitude 2.5, it is easily visible to the naked eye and contains about 30 stars spanning 50 arcminutes, centered on the bright star Omicron Velorum.

Observing Tips

A fine naked-eye and binocular cluster. Too spread out for most telescopes — binoculars at 7-10x give the best view. The cluster is dominated by Omicron Velorum (mag 3.6). Best from southern latitudes in late winter and spring.

History

Known since antiquity as a naked-eye grouping. First cataloged by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751. It was one of the clusters used to determine the age of nearby stellar associations.

Fun Facts

At only 50 million years old, IC 2391 is a young cluster whose stars are still settling down. Several of its stars show strong X-ray emission characteristic of magnetically active young stars.