NGC 2266 is an open cluster of stars in the

constellation A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms Asterism (astronomy), a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object. The origins of the e ...

of Gemini. It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on 7 December 1785. This is a relatively dim cluster with an integrated visual magnitude of 9.5 and an angular size of . The stellar members can be readily resolved with an amateur telescope. NGC 2266 is located at a distance of from the Sun. It is located close to the opposite part of the sky from the Galactic Center, or the anti-center. This is a rich cluster that is well condensed. It is of intermediate age; similar to the ages of the Hyades and Praesepe clusters. However, it has a lower

metallicity In astronomy, metallicity is the abundance of elements present in an object that are heavier than hydrogen and helium. Most of the normal physical matter in the Universe is either hydrogen or helium, and astronomers use the word ''"metals"'' as a ...

than either cluster. NGC 2266 has a heliocentric

radial velocity The radial velocity or line-of-sight velocity, also known as radial speed or range rate, of a target with respect to an observer is the temporal rate of change, rate of change of the distance or Slant range, range between the two points. It is e ...

of . A 2008 study found 12 variable stars in the field of this cluster, although they lie outside the cluster radius. A single candidate blue straggler has been identified.

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:NGC 2266

2266 In contemporary history, the third millennium of the anno Domini or Common Era in the Gregorian calendar is the current millennium spanning the years 2001 to 3000 ( 21st to 30th centuries). Ongoing futures studies seek to understand what is ...

Open clusters Gemini (constellation)

1785 Events January–March * January 1 – The first issue of the ''Daily Universal Register'', later known as ''The Times'', is published in London. * January 7 – Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries tr ...

Discoveries by William Herschel