Open Clusters NGC 2567, 2571, 2580, 2587
History
The open cluster NGC 2571 was discovered by Willim Herschel on 3 March 1793 using his 18.7-inch reflecting telescope of 20 feet focal length. He listed the cluster as VI 39 and noted: «A cluster of large stars, considerably rich, irregularly round, above 15' diameter.» The following night he discovered NGC 2567 and listed it as VII 64 with the notes: «A large cluster of stars of a middling size, irregularly extended and considerably rich. The stars are chiefly in rows.» [465]
John Herschel observed these two open clusters on 6 January 1831 using his 18.3-inch telescope at Slough. He listed NGC 2571 (VI 39) as h 502 and noted: «A very loose straggling but pretty rich cluster which fills the field, stars 9 magnitudes and under; very little compression towards the middle. Some large stars precede it.» He listed cluster NGC 2567 (VII 64) as h503 and noted: «A fine, pretty rich cluster; stars 11 magnitudes pretty uniform 5...6' diameter. The chief stars make a zigzag line, the outliers extending 20'.» [466]
While observing from South Africa John Herschel discovered NGC 2587 on 22 January 1835, listed it as h 3124 and noted: «A milky way cluster 7th class; irregular figure; pretty much compressed in middle. Stars 10...13 magnitudes; one 9 magnitude.» Two years later on 5 February 1837 he discovered NGC 2580 and listed it as h 3123 and noted: «Cluster 7th class; round; pretty rich; insulated; 10' diameter; stars 12 magnitudes, nearly uniform.» [11]
Physical Properties
The clusters NGC 2567 and NGC 2571 are roughly at the same distance. NGC 2580 is further away and NGC 2587 is the furthest cluster of these four.
| Name | RA | Dec | Type | vMag | Dim | MD | Dreyer Description | Identification, Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGC 2567 | 08 18 32.0 | -30 38 24 | OCL (III2m) | 7.4 | 11 | 1.677 | Cl, pL, pRi, lC, iR, st 11…14 | WH VII 64; h 503=3120; GC 1649; OCL 708; ESO 431-SC3 |
| NGC 2571 | 08 18 56.3 | -29 44 57 | OCL (IV1p) | 7.0 | 7 | 1.339 | Cl, vL, cRi, lC, st 9… | WH VI 39; h 502; GC 1651; OCL 701; ESO 431-SC5 |
| NGC 2580 | 08 21 28.0 | -30 17 30 | OCL (II2m) | 9.7 | 8 | 4.000 | Cl, cL, pRi, pC, R, st 12 | h 3123; GC 1656; OCL 709; ESO 431-SC6 |
| NGC 2587 | 08 23 24.0 | -29 30 31 | OCL (II1p) | 9.2 | 10 | 2.700 | Cl, pmCM, iF, st 9…13 | h 3124; GC 1658; OCL 706; ESO 431-SC7 |
From our perspective nearby, but much further away are two faint spiral galaxies. Estimated distance range from 14 to 23 Mpc.
| Name | Type | RA (J2000.0) | Dec (J2000.0) | Rvel [km/s] | z | M Type | Magnitudes | Identifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESO 431-1 | GiG | 08h 17m 38s | -29° 43' 51" | 1668.5 | 0.005581 | S:r | B 14.3; R 14.2; I 13.7; J 10.649; H 9.809; K 9.62 | 2MASX J08173846-2943505; CGMW 2-3124; ESO 431-1; HIPASS J0817-29; HIZOA J0817-29B; HIZSS 40; IRAS 08155-2934; LEDA 23216; LEDA 23242; MCG-05-20-003; PSCz Q08155-2934; SGC 081536-2934.5; ZOA J081738.392-294349.76; ZOAG G248.93+03.31; [CHM2007] HDC 476 J081738.46-2943505; [CHM2007] LDC 561 J081738.46-2943505; [DB76] 431-3 |
| ESO 431-2 | GiG | 08h 17m 43s | -30° 07' 50" | 1663.8 | 0.005565 | Sc | B 12.4; R 12.5; I 12.1; J 10.215; H 9.499; K 9.235 | 2MASX J08174326-3007501; AM 0815-295; CGMW 2-3133; ESO 431-2; HIPASS J0817-30; HIZOA J0817-30; HIZSS 41; IRAS 08156-2958; LEDA 23246; PSCz Q08156-2958; SGC 081541-2958.5; UGCA 137; WB89 1114; ZOAG G249.27+03.10; [CHM2007] HDC 476 J081743.26-3007501; [CHM2007] LDC 561 J081743.26-3007501; [DB76] 431-4 |
Finder Chart
The open clusters NGC 2567, NGC 2571, NGC 2580 and NGC 2587 are located in the constellation Puppis. On 23 January these are in opposition with the Sun and is therefore highest in the sky at local midnight.
