NGC 2266 -- Open Cluster in Gemini
Open Cluster above the Paw of the Lion
Two degrees above the 3rd-magnitude star, Mebsuta (Epsilon Geminorum), rests the pretty
collection of 50+ stars crammed into a 5-arcminute space. The ancient Arabic name of
Mebsuta means “paw of a lion”. Obviously, the constellations were not viewed then as they
are now, since Mebsuta is currently in the constellation of Gemini, the twins. The Open
Cluster, NGC 2266, is easily found by a distinctive arch of stars that marks its location. By
increasing the power on the telescope, the dimmer stars in the cluster make themselves
known.
collection of 50+ stars crammed into a 5-arcminute space. The ancient Arabic name of
Mebsuta means “paw of a lion”. Obviously, the constellations were not viewed then as they
are now, since Mebsuta is currently in the constellation of Gemini, the twins. The Open
Cluster, NGC 2266, is easily found by a distinctive arch of stars that marks its location. By
increasing the power on the telescope, the dimmer stars in the cluster make themselves
known.