Jewel Box (NGC 4755)

An open cluster of about 100 stars in the constellation Crux, also known as the Kappa Crucis Cluster after its most prominent member, a blue supergiant (visual magnitude 5.89, absolute magnitude -6.10, spectral type B5Ia). Located near Beta Crucis, the Jewel Box was discovered by Nicolas Lacaille when he was in South Africa in 1751-52. It is one of the youngest clusters known, with an estimated age of less than 10 million years. Nearby lies the Coalsack.

visual magnitude	4.2
angular size	10'
distance	8,150 light-years
position	R.A. 12h 53.6m, Dec. -60° 20'

Related category

• NEBULAE AND STAR CLUSTERS

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