NGC 2070
Open cluster in the constellation Dorado
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NGC 2070 (also known as Caldwell 103) is a large open cluster and candidate super star cluster forming the heart of the bright region in the centre-south-east of the Large Magellanic Cloud.[2] This cluster was discovered by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752.[3] It is at the centre of the Tarantula Nebula and produces most of the energy that makes the latter's gas and dust visible. Its central condensation is the star cluster R136, one of the most energetic star clusters known.[4] Among its stars are many of great dimension, including one of the most massive stars known (if not the most massive), R136a1, at roughly 300 M☉ and over 7 million L☉.
| NGC 2070 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 2070 (ESO) Credit: ESO/IDA/Danish 1.5 m/R. Gendler, C. C. Thöne, C. Féron, and J.-E. Ovaldsen | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 05h 38m 42s[1] |
| Declination | −69° 06′ 00″[1] |
| Distance | 157 kly (48.5 kpc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.25[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 3.50′ × 3.50′ |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | Caldwell 103, PKS 0539-69 |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Dorado |
