Open Cluster NGC 2479
History
This open cluster was discovered by William Herschel on 18 Dec 1783. He noted: «A cluster of stars, pretty rich, south following 6 [Pup] towards the 16.» He assigned it discovery #7 but didn't include it in his first published catalogue. Herschel rediscovered the cluster on sweep 934 (4 March 1790) and assumed it was new. He listed the cluster as VII 58 and noted: «A pretty compressed and rich cluster of small stars, irregularly round, about 7 or 8' diameter.» [364, 465]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 2479 |
| Type | OCL (III1m) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 07h 55m 06.0s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | -17° 42' 28" |
| Diameter | 11 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 9.6 mag |
| Metric Distance | 1.200 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | Cl, pL, pRi, pC, st S |
| Identification, Remarks | WH VII 58; GC 1595; OCL 623; ESO 561-SC1 |
Finder Chart
The open cluster NGC 2479 is located in the constellation Puppis. On 18 January it in opposition with the Sun and is therefore highest in the sky at local midnight.
