Coordinates: Sky map 00h 40m 31.3s, +40° 44′ 21″

NGC 206

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NGC 206
File:NGC206.jpg
NGC 206
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Right ascension00h 40m 31.3s[1]
Declination+40° 44′ 21″[1]
Absolute magnitude (V)Unknown
Apparent dimensions (V)4.2′ (arcmin)
Physical characteristics
RadiusCa. 400 ly
Associations
ConstellationAndromeda
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 206 is a bright star cloud in the Andromeda Galaxy, and the brightest star cloud in Andromeda when viewed from Earth. It was discovered by German-born English astronomer William Herschel in 1786[2] and possibly even two years earlier when he observed "a streak of milky nebulosity, horizontal, or part of the 31st Nebula."

Features

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NGC 206 is the richest and most conspicuous star cloud in the Andromeda Galaxy, and is one of the largest and brightest star-forming regions in the Local Group.[3] It contains more than 300 stars brighter than Mb=−3.6.[4] It was originally identified by Edwin Hubble as a star cluster but today, due to its size, it is classified as an OB association.[5]

NGC 206 is located in a spiral arm of the Andromeda Galaxy, in a zone free of neutral hydrogen. It contains hundreds of stars of spectral types O and B. The star cloud has a double structure: one region has an age of around 10 million years and includes several H II regions in its border; the other region has an age of 40 to 50 million years and includes a number of cepheids. The two regions are separated by a band of interstellar dust.[6]

See also

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References

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