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NGC 6242 | |
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Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Right ascension | 16h 55m 30.7s[1] |
Declination | −39° 28′ 26″[1] |
Distance | 4.35 ± 0.53 kly (1.335 ± 0.163 kpc)[2] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 6.4[3] |
Apparent dimensions (V) | 9′[3] |
Physical characteristics | |
Estimated age | 77.6[2] Myr |
Other designations | NGC 6242, Cr 317[4] |
Associations | |
Constellation | Scorpius |
NGC 6242 is an open cluster of stars in the southern constellation Scorpius. It can be viewed with binoculars or a telescope at about 1.5° to the south-southeast of the double star Mu Scorpii.[3] This cluster was discovered by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752 from South Africa.[5] It is located at a distance of approximately 4,350 ly (1,335 pc) from the Sun,[2] just to the north of the Sco OB 1 association.[6] The cluster has an estimated age of 77.6 million years.[2]
A microquasar with the designation GRO J1655-40 is located in the vicinity of NGC 6242 and is moving away from the cluster with a runaway space velocity of 112±18 km/s. It may have originated in the cluster during a supernova explosion ~2.2×105 year ago.[7]