NGC 2070 | |
Credit: | ESO/IDA/Danish 1.5 m/R. Gendler, C. C. Thöne, C. Féron, and J.-E. Ovaldsen |
Epoch: | J2000 |
Constellation: | Dorado |
Ra: | [1] |
Dist Ly: | 157 kly |
Dist Pc: | 48.5 kpc |
Appmag V: | 7.25 |
Size V: | 3.50 × 3.50 |
Names: | Caldwell 103, PKS 0539-69 |
NGC 2070 (also known as Caldwell 103) is a large open cluster and candidate super star cluster forming the heart of the bright region in the centre-south-east of the Large Magellanic Cloud.[2] This cluster was discovered by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1752.[3] It is at the centre of the Tarantula Nebula and produces most of the energy that makes the latter's gas and dust visible. Its central condensation is the star cluster R136, one of the most energetic star clusters known.[4] Among its stars are many of great dimension, including the second most massive star known, R136a1, at 215 and 6.16 million .