IC 4651

IC 4651 is an open cluster located in the constellation Ara. It was discovered by John Dunlop in 1826. This relatively old open cluster is estimated to be around 1.7 billion years old, making it significantly older than many other well-known open clusters such as the Pleiades or the Hyades.

Located approximately 2,900 light-years away from Earth, IC 4651 appears as a faint, somewhat sparsely populated cluster in the night sky. It's not easily visible to the naked eye, requiring binoculars or a small telescope for observation.

The cluster has been the subject of numerous astronomical studies, focusing on its stellar population and dynamics. These studies help astronomers understand the evolution of stars within open clusters and provide insights into the age and composition of the Milky Way galaxy. The relatively advanced age of IC 4651 makes it a valuable resource for studying the later stages of stellar evolution. Its metallicity, or abundance of elements heavier than helium, is similar to that of the Sun.