NGC 2204 - Open Star Cluster
The open star cluster NGC 2204 is located in the constellation "Canis Major" with an apparent magnitude of 8.6mag and a size of 10'. It was
discovered during a cold February night in 1785 by F.W. Herschel.
The distance is given with nearly 9,000 light-years, but values of more than 13,000 light-years can also be found. The cluster is situated 3,600
light-years above the galactic plane. The inner region has a diameter of 22 light-years, but in total the cluster is 55 light-years large. The age was
determined to be 1.6 billion years, but with a large uncertainty of -300 and +900 million years. So far 25 red giants have been observed - some
of them were even photometrically monitored.
NGC 2204 is moving away from us with a speed of 91 kilometers per second.
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In my 20" f/3 telescope NGC 2204 is a very easy object. The cluster is very bright and a total of 35 individual stars with very different magnitudes
can be seen. The cluster is overall roundish, but with an irregular periphery. Some of the brighter stars form an X-shaped structure.
Overall a really nice object. :)
