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Shoe Buckle Cluster

M35, NGC 2168, Collinder 82, Melotte 41

Proper NameShoe Buckle Cluster
Messier NumberM35
NGC/IC NumberNGC 2168
Other DesignationsCollinder 82, Melotte 41
ConstellationGemini
Right Ascension6h 8m 54s
Declination+24° 20' 0"
Distancec. 2,960 light years
c. 906 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +5.09
Absolute: -4.70
DiameterApparent: 40'
Actual: 35 light years
Number of Stars> 300
Optimum VisibilityJanuary
NotesA broad open cluster, with a diameter in the sky comparable with that of the Moon's disc. Isolating which stars in this area of the sky are members of the cluster is difficult, but at least three hundred stars are gravitationally bound to the cluster, and the full tally of member stars may run into the thousands.

An open star cluster in Gemini, near its boundary with Taurus. The cluster contains approximately three to four hundred stars, but possibly rather more, and is a little under three thousand light years from the Solar System.

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