INTRODUCTION AND REPRESENTATION
NGC 2270 is an open cluster located in the constellation Unicorn [The genitive form of Monoceros, used in star names, is Monocerotis.], and was first identified by William Herschel, a German-British astronomer, in 1786. The cluster is estimated to be located around 1,400 parsecs (approximately 4,570 light-years) away from our solar system. Recent estimates suggest that the cluster is around 261 million years old. The apparent size of NGC 2270 is about 10 minutes of arc. Given the cluster’s distance from Earth, this translates to a maximum true size of approximately 13.3 light-years. These characteristics make NGC 2270 an interesting object for astronomers to study, as it provides insights into the formation and evolution of open clusters in our galaxy.
NGC 2270 has an angular size of 10 minutes of arc, which is equivalent to 0.166 degrees or 5.1 arcminutes. The J2000 celestial coordinates for NGC 2270 are right ascension 06h 43m 57.7s and declination 03° 28′ 43″. These coordinates specify the location of the cluster in the sky relative to the fixed J2000 coordinate system.
FACTS AND DATAÂ
To give a feel of where the cluster is actually located I am pasting an image to give a feel to the readers.
Data was obtained from Skynet, and images were processed using the Afterglow software to minimize noise and achieve the most precise data possible. The Cluster Pro Plus software was employed to generate a curve from the data, which could then be used to determine fundamental parameters like distance, proper motion, and size.
                    REDDENED IMAGE OF NGC 2270
                  DEREDDENED IMAGE OF NGC 2270
                                    NGC 2270
| MOTION IN RA | -0.321 ± 1.156 mas/yr |
| MOTION IN DEC | -0.883 ± 2 mas/yr |
| DISTANCE | 2.8 kpc ± 26.19% |
| Log(AGE) | 6.6 log(yr) |
| METALLICITY | -1.04 |
| E(B-V) | 0.14 |
CONCLUSION
Despite facing some difficulties, working on this project was a fulfilling experience. Overcoming these obstacles allowed me to analyze this cluster and learn more about it, while also developing practical skills in data gathering, processing, and presentation. I found it particularly satisfying to use the software and see the instant outcome of my efforts.
REFERENCESÂ
NGC 2270 — Wikipédia. (n.d.). Fr.wikipedia.org. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://fr-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/NGC_2270?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
NGC 2270 – Open Cluster in Monoceros | TheSkyLive.com. (n.d.). Theskylive.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://theskylive.com/sky/deepsky/ngc2270-object