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NGC 4609

Open Cluster Good (54/100)
NGC 4609 OpenCluster Cru Visible Level 1 Naked eye / Binoculars - Wide field preferred
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Properties

Magnitude 6.9
Angular Size 5.4′
Cl, pL, pC, cE, st 10

Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 42m 18.0s
Dec -62° 58' 00.0"
Constellation Cru
Catalog NGC 4609

Visibility

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Eyepiece View

108x TFOV: 0.5° Lim. mag: 13.3
N E

NGC 4609 · 5.4′ diameter · N up, E left

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About NGC 4609

Description

NGC 4609 is a small open cluster in Crux, about 4,200 light-years away. It contains about 40 stars within 5 arcminutes and lies just northwest of the Coalsack Nebula (C99), partially projected against the dark cloud.

Observing Tips

A compact, moderately rich cluster visible in a 4-inch telescope. Its proximity to the Coalsack Nebula creates a striking contrast between the bright cluster and the dark background. Best from southern latitudes in autumn and winter.

History

Discovered by James Dunlop in 1826 from Australia. Its position against the Coalsack makes it a popular target when observing the famous dark nebula.

Fun Facts

NGC 4609 appears to overlap with the Coalsack Nebula, but the cluster lies far beyond the dark cloud. The juxtaposition creates one of the finest examples of a bright cluster seen against a conspicuously dark background.