NGC 2362 is a small compact young open clsuter in Canis Major that surrounds fourth mag star, tau Canis Majoris (τ CMa - mag. +4.37). This attractive grouping of 60 stars is packed into an area spanning just 6 arc minuts of apparent sky. The apparent magnitude of the cluster is quoted as +4.1, however this value is misleading as its significantly skewed because of the brilliance of τ CMa. The remaining members of NGC 2362 are much fainter, the brightest being of 7th magnitude.
Finding NGC 2362 is not difficult. It's located 2.75 degrees northeast of Wezen (δ CMa - mag. +1.83), the third brightest star in Canis Major.
Tau CMa, a spectroscopic multiple system, shines with a combined light of tens of thousands times that of the Sun and is the stand out cluster member. It's bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. For comparison, the Sun at the same distance would shine at a feeble magnitude of +15.
NGC 2362 was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna sometime before 1654 and then re-discovered by William Herschel on March 4, 1783. It's best seen from southern latitudes during the months of December, January and February.
