NGC 1252
| NGC 1252 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 1252 as observed by the Digitized Sky Survey | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 3h 10m 31s |
| Declination | −58° 8′ 22″ |
| Distance | (1,000 pc (3,300 ly)) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Estimated age | around 3 billion years |
| Other designations | ESO 116-11 |
| Associations | |
NGC 1252 is a metal-poor, open cluster remnant located in the constellation Horologium, containing around 20 stars. It was discovered in 1834 by John Herschel. It was described by John Louis Emil Dreyer as an 8th-magnitude star surrounded by a group of 18 or 20 stars. Stars TW Horologii and HD 20286 were once considered to be part of NGC 1252, but this is now not likely.[1]
Due to the nature of the object, it has been given different classifications: according to Bouchet & Thé (1983), it is an open cluster at around 500 million years old located 470 parsecs away, with a diameter of 8 parsecs,[2] while other studies such as Baumgardt, Dettbarn & Wielen (2000) claimed that it is an asterism instead.[3] Yet another study puts the age at 3 billion years old,[4] which appears to be closer to its true age, alongside being 1,000 parsecs away. It is also approximately 900 parsecs below the galactic disc.[1]
Two structures are located nearby: the Tucana-Horologium association and the Hyades Stream.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c de la Fuente Marcos, R.; de la Fuente Marcos, C.; Moni Bidin, C.; Carraro, G.; Costa, E. (4 July 2013). "NGC 1252: a high altitude, metal poor open cluster remnant". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 434 (1): 194–208. doi:10.1093/mnras/stt996. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Bouchet, P.; The, P. S. (1983). "Notes on the open cluster NGC 1252 with the variable carbon star TW Horologii as a probable member". The Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 95 (570): 474. Bibcode:1983PASP...95..474B. doi:10.1086/131195. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Baumgardt, H.; Dettbarn, C.; Wielen, R. (29 May 2000). "Absolute proper motions of open clusters". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 146 (2): 251–258. doi:10.1051/aas:2000362. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Pavani, D. B.; Bica, E.; Dutra, C. M.; Dottori, H.; Santiago, B. X.; Carranza, G.; Díaz, R. J. (15 August 2001). "Open clusters or their remnants: B and V photometry of NGC 1901 and NGC 1252". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 374 (2): 554–563. arXiv:astro-ph/0106026. Bibcode:2001A&A...374..554P. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20010741. Retrieved 11 October 2024.