NGC 2204: Open Star Cluster (Canis Major) RA: 06h 15.6m / DEC: -18° 40'.0 Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder |
You'll find NGC 2204 in western Canis Major just across the border from Lepus. 2.0 magnitude Mirzam, Beta Canis Majoris, is located 1.8 degrees to the northeast and 5.3 magnitude 19 Leporis is positioned a similar distance to the southwest. NGC 2204 is centered between those bright stars and in my sketch. The drawing presents a 129X view in my 10-inch Meade Newtonian. The cluster is spread across a 12' area with the brightest members being a pair of GSC stars. 9th magnitude GSC 5937:2739 is located about 2' inside the northern border of the cluster. 10th magnitude GSC 5937:2768 shines 5'.5 south near another edge. About 15 cluster members are shown scattered across the field with many more stars standing at the brink of detection with averted vision. 6.0 magnitude HD 43429 is just out of reach beyond the northern field boundary. |
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