NGC 2479 -- Open Cluster in Puppis
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NGC 2479 and the Triple Double-Star Asterism
The constellation of the “Stern of the Ship Argo” (Puppis) is for the most part too far south from
my location in Central Maryland to view – but not all of it. There is a wide northern extension of
the constellation that rides the milky way north just to the east of Canis Major culminating in the
well-known Open Clusters of M46 and M47 (also do not forget the Open Cluster M93 south of
them). In addition, there are many additional Puppis Open Clusters along this stretch of the
Milky Way worth visiting. Two local Parks provided me far better southern views of the sky
than from my backyard, which I sketched eight of the best of the northern non-Messier Puppis
Open Clusters on the evenings of March 2nd and March 3rd (NGC 2421, 2479, 2482, 2489,
2509,2527, 2567 and 2571).
The Open Cluster NGC 2479 consists of 11th and dimmer magnitude stars. They are loosely
scattered across the cluster with no central condensation. The collection of faint stars
embedded in a blurry background of unresolved stars was not difficult in the 110mm refractor
from the local park.
The generous view provided by the wide-angle Ethos eyepiece gave a stunning view of the
stars surrounding NGC 2479. Two real Double Stars HD 64611 and HD 64668 and an
Asterism of what appeared as three Double Stars (Triple Double Star Asterism) were within
the field of view of NGC 2479. All six of the stars in the Asterism are in reality single
stars – they only appear as doubles. The name Triple Double Star Asterism is what I call it,
so don’t try looking it up. The Double Star HD 64611 is a Multiple Star System, of which two
stars were seen (magnitudes 6.89 and 9.92 with a separation of 67.2 arcseconds). The
Double Star HD 64668 have magnitudes of 9.4 and 9.1 and are separated by 20.4
arcseconds.
Overall NGC 2479 and its surrounding Milky Way star field was a pleasing sight and well
worth the visit.
my location in Central Maryland to view – but not all of it. There is a wide northern extension of
the constellation that rides the milky way north just to the east of Canis Major culminating in the
well-known Open Clusters of M46 and M47 (also do not forget the Open Cluster M93 south of
them). In addition, there are many additional Puppis Open Clusters along this stretch of the
Milky Way worth visiting. Two local Parks provided me far better southern views of the sky
than from my backyard, which I sketched eight of the best of the northern non-Messier Puppis
Open Clusters on the evenings of March 2nd and March 3rd (NGC 2421, 2479, 2482, 2489,
2509,2527, 2567 and 2571).
The Open Cluster NGC 2479 consists of 11th and dimmer magnitude stars. They are loosely
scattered across the cluster with no central condensation. The collection of faint stars
embedded in a blurry background of unresolved stars was not difficult in the 110mm refractor
from the local park.
The generous view provided by the wide-angle Ethos eyepiece gave a stunning view of the
stars surrounding NGC 2479. Two real Double Stars HD 64611 and HD 64668 and an
Asterism of what appeared as three Double Stars (Triple Double Star Asterism) were within
the field of view of NGC 2479. All six of the stars in the Asterism are in reality single
stars – they only appear as doubles. The name Triple Double Star Asterism is what I call it,
so don’t try looking it up. The Double Star HD 64611 is a Multiple Star System, of which two
stars were seen (magnitudes 6.89 and 9.92 with a separation of 67.2 arcseconds). The
Double Star HD 64668 have magnitudes of 9.4 and 9.1 and are separated by 20.4
arcseconds.
Overall NGC 2479 and its surrounding Milky Way star field was a pleasing sight and well
worth the visit.