Open Cluster NGC 2421
History
This open cluster was discovered by William Herschel on 8 March 1784 using his 20 foot telescope with 18.7 inch aperture. He listed it as VII 67 and noted: «A cluster of compressed stars, considerably rich» [465]
John Herschel, continuing his fathers work and observing the southern skies from the Cape of Good Hope on 15 February 1836 (sweep 677) listed the cluster as h 3089 and noted: «A large fine rich cluster, not much compressed, but nearly filling the field. Stars 11..13th mag, no conspicuous star, place that of a coarse double stars 11th mag.» [11]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 2421 |
| Type | OCL (I2m) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 07h 36m 12.0s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | -20° 36' 42" |
| Diameter | 8 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 8.3 mag |
| Metric Distance | 2.181 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | Cl, L, cRi, st 11…13 |
| Identification, Remarks | WH VII 67; h 3089; GC 1550; OCL 626; ESO 560-SC2 |
Finder Chart
The open cluster NGC 2421 is located in the constellation Puppis. On 13 January it in opposition with the Sun and is therefore highest in the sky at local midnight.
