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Proper NameLambda Centauri Cluster
Caldwell NumberAssociated with, and sometimes identified as, C100
NGC/IC NumberAssociated with IC 2948, the Running Chicken Nebula
ConstellationCentaurus
Right Ascension11h 38m 20s
Declination-63° 22' 22"
Distancec. 5,850 light years
c. 1,790 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +4.50
Absolute: -6.72
DiameterApparent: 1° 5'
Actual: c. 110 light years
Number of Starsc. 40
Optimum VisibilityMarch / April (usually visible from southern latitudes)
NotesThe Lambda Centauri Cluster is small open cluster of relatively young hot stars within the star-forming region known as the Running Chicken Nebula. Formally the designation 'IC 2944' used for the cluster also includes the nebulosity immediately surrounding it. The Caldwell number C100 is sometimes used for this cluster, but is also used more broadly of the entire nebula within which the cluster is embedded.

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