Open Cluster NGC 2627
History
This open cluster was discovered by William Herschel on 3 March 1793 using his 18.7-inch reflecting telescope of 20 feet focal length. He listed the cluster as VII 63 and noted: «A large cluster of scattered small stars of irregular figure, considerably rich.» [465]
John Herschel observed the cluster twice: On 8 January 1831 (sweep 316), observing from Slough, England he listed it as h 516 and noted: «A fine cluster shaped like a flattened X. Stars 11...13 magnitudes; fills field, but the most compressed pard = 6' diameter; pretty rich; not much compressed towards the middle.» [466] During his expedition to South Africa he observed the cluster again on 22 January 1835 (sweep 531) and listed it as h 3132 with the notes: «A fine large, rich, pretty much compressed cluster; irregularly elongated; 10' long; 7' broad; stars 12 and 13 magnitudes, nearly equal.» [11]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 2627 |
| Type | OCL (III2m) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 08h 37m 15.0s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | -29° 57' 18" |
| Diameter | 9 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 8.4 mag |
| Metric Distance | 2.034 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | Cl, cL, pRi, pC, st 11…13 |
| Identification, Remarks | WH VII 63; h 516=3132; GC 1678; OCL 714; ESO 431-SC20 |
Finder Chart
The open cluster NGC 2627 is located in the constellation Pyxis. On 28 January it is in opposition with the Sun and is therefore highest in the sky at local midnight.
