Open Cluster NGC 2354
History
This open cluster was discovered by William Herschel on 6 March 1785 using his 20 foot telescope with 18.7 inch aperture. He listed it as VII 16 and noted: «A cluster of scattered stars, considerably rich, 20' diameter.» [463]
John Herschel, continuing his fathers work, listed it as h 438, observed it on 7 January 1831 and noted: «Loose straggling cluster; the preceding part is rather separated from the following, and more comp. Place that of 3 stars in the following part.» [466]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 2354 |
| Type | OCL (III2m) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 07h 14m 10.0s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | -25° 41' 24" |
| Diameter | 18 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 6.5 mag |
| Metric Distance | 3.794 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | Cl, cRi, lC |
| Identification, Remarks | WH VII 16; h 438; GC 1507; OCL 639; ESO 492-SC6 |
Finder Chart
The open cluster NGC 2354 is located in the constellation Canis Maior. On 8 January it in opposition with the Sun and is therefore highest in the sky at local midnight.
