M36 (NGC 1960)
M36. Image credit: NOAO/AURA/NSF.
M36 (NGC 1960) is one of three bright open clusters in the southern part of the constellation Auriga, along with M37 and M38. All three were first recorded by Giovanni Hodierna before 1654. All three lie at similar distances of about 4,000 light-years, but M36 is significantly younger and contains no evolved red giant stars.
| visual magnitude | 6.3 |
| angular size | 12' |
| linear diameter | 14 light-years |
| distance | 4,100 light-years (1,250 pc) |
| position | RA 21h 33m 27s , Dec -00° 49' 24" |
| other designations | GCl 121, BD-01 4175, C 2130-010, GCRV 13546, HD 205146 |
