NGC 2516
Properties
Position & Identifiers
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NGC 2516 · 24.3′ diameter · N up, E left
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About NGC 2516
Description
NGC 2516 is a large, bright open cluster in Carina, about 1,300 light-years away. At magnitude 3.8 it is easily visible to the naked eye, spanning 30 arcminutes and containing over 100 stars. It is sometimes called the Southern Beehive due to its resemblance to M44.
Observing Tips
An excellent naked-eye and binocular cluster. Too large for most telescopes at high power — binoculars or a wide-field scope at low power give the best view. Several red giants provide color contrast. Best from southern latitudes in late winter and spring.
History
Discovered by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751. It is one of the brightest clusters visible from southern latitudes and a standard comparison to the northern Beehive Cluster (M44).
Fun Facts
NGC 2516 is about 140 million years old, similar to the Pleiades. X-ray observations have detected many magnetically active stars, and the cluster has been used to study the rotation rates and activity levels of solar-type stars.