NGC 1761
An image of NGC 1761 Credit: James Dunlop / John Herschel
Observation data
Right ascension	04h 56m 37.7s [1][2]
Declination	−66° 28′ 44″[1][2]
Physical characteristics
Other designations	ESO 85-18, LH 9, SL63 122, GC 980, JH 2710, (possibly Dunlop 231) [3]
Associations
Constellation	Dorado
See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters

NGC 1761 (also known as GC 980, JH 2710, LH 9)^[3] is an open cluster in the Dorado constellation in the Large Magellanic Cloud. It encompasses a group of about 50 massive hot young stars. These stars are among the largest stars known anywhere in the Universe and appear as bright blue-white in colour. The stars in turn have given birth to new stars within dark globules. NGC 1761 is particularly noteworthy for its intense ultraviolet radiation, which has eroded a large hole in the surrounding nebular material. It is similar in structure to the more famous Rosette Nebula. ^[4][5][6]

It is part of a large region of stars called LMC-N11 (N11) which was discovered with a 23-cm telescope by the astronomer James Dunlop in 1826 and was also observed by John Herschel in 1835.^[3]

• Media related to NGC 1761 at Wikimedia Commons