Map of the Universe
Wild Duck Cluster
Open star cluster · Open cluster in the constellation Scutum
About the Wild Duck Cluster
The Wild Duck Cluster is about 7,283 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 7,283 years ago.
It is 20,803 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.
The map lists it as an open star cluster and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
Key numbers
| Distance | 7,283 light-years (2,233 pc) |
|---|---|
| Distance from the Galactic centre | 20,803 light-years |
| Galactic coordinates | l = 27.30°, b = -2.77° |
| Member stars (Gaia) | 1,911 |
| Age | 132 million years |
| Mass (observed) | 13,330 solar masses |
| Half-member radius | 8.0 light-years |
Data: Hunt & Reffert 2024.
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Sagittarius–Carina Arm › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: Local Arm, a view about 12,000 light-years across.
From Wikipedia
The Wild Duck Cluster is an open cluster of stars in the constellation Scutum. It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1681. Charles Messier included it in his catalogue of diffuse objects in 1764. Its popular name derives from the brighter stars forming a triangle which could resemble a flying flock of ducks.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Wild Duck Cluster, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nearby on the map
- IRC-10414 Star-forming region
- Eagle Nebula Nebula
- Omega Nebula Nebula
- OGLE-2011-BLG-0462 Black hole
- Trifid Nebula Nebula
- Lagoon Nebula Nebula