Star density maps of the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars.The Sun is located at the centre of both maps. The regions with higher density of stars are shown; these correspond with known star clusters (Hyades and Coma Berenices) and moving groups.
This is a list of nearby stellar associations and moving groups . A stellar association is a very loose star cluster , looser than an open cluster . A moving group is the remnant of such a stellar association. Members of stellar associations and moving groups share similar kinematic properties, as well as similar ages and chemical composition.
The list (below) is sorted by the distance to the Solar System .
Main associations of the galactic plane in the night sky
Nearby (≤500 light-years) associations and groups
Name
Associated star or cluster
Constellation
Average distance (light-years )
Age (million years )
Note
Reference
Oceanus
Luhman 16
6-160
510
Closest moving group.
[1]
Castor Moving Group
Castor , DX Cancri , Vega , Fomalhaut , etc.
<80
Disputed existence.
Ursa Major association
Alioth , Mizar , Merak , etc.
Ursa Major
80
414
[2]
AB Doradus moving group
AB Doradus
Dorado
100
150
[2]
β Pictoris moving group
β Pictoris
Pictor
100
24
[2]
Carina-Near moving group
Carina
100
200
[2]
Hercules-Lyra association
Hercules + Lyra
100
260
might be a stellar stream [3]
[4]
Tucana-Horologium association
Tucana + Horologium
150
45
Formerly part of the GAYA (Great Austral Young Association )
[2] [5]
Hyades
Hyades
Taurus
153
750
Closest open cluster . Reported for reference.
[2]
Columba association
Columba
160
42
Formerly part of the GAYA (Great Austral Young Association )
[2] [5]
TW Hydrae association
TW Hydrae
Hydra
160
10
[2]
Carina Association
Carina
200
45
Formerly part of the GAYA (Great Austral Young Association )
[2] [5]
Argus association
IC 2391
Vela + Carina
240
45
May or may not be related to IC 2391
[6] [7]
Coma Star Cluster
Coma Star Cluster
Coma Berenices
280
562
Second closest open cluster . Reported for reference.
[8] [2]
Volans-Carina association
Volans + Carina
280
90
formerly Group 30
[9] [10]
32 Orionis group
32 Orionis
Orion
310
22
[2]
η Chamaeleontis moving group
η Chamaeleontis
Chamaeleon
310
11
[2] [11]
χ1 Fornacis moving group
χ1 Fornacis
Fornax
320
500
other name: cluster Alessi 13
[2]
118 Tau association
118 Tauri
Taurus
330
10
[2]
ε Chamaeleontis association
ε Chamaeleontis
Chamaeleon
330
3.7
[2]
Group 10
Ursa Major
330
400 or ~1000
proposed moving group; alternative name: Group X
[10] [12] [13]
Lower Centaurus–Crux association
Centaurus + Crux
360
15
Subgroup of the Scorpius–Centaurus association
[2]
Group 29
Taurus
380
40
proposed moving group, overlaps with Taurus-Auriga, but is older
[10] [14]
Taurus-Auriga association
Taurus + Auriga
390
1.5
See also: Taurus Molecular Cloud ; part of the Radcliffe wave [15]
[2]
Group 26
Cassiopeia
401
<1000
proposed moving group
[10] [12]
Octans association
Octans
420
35
[2]
Upper Centaurus–Lupus association
Centaurus + Lupus
420
16
Subgroup of the Scorpius–Centaurus association
[2]
Upper Scorpius association
Scorpius
420
10
Subgroup of the Scorpius–Centaurus association
[2]
ρ Ophiuchi association
ρ Ophiuchi
Ophiuchus
430
2
See also: Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex
[2]
Pleiades
Pleiades
Taurus
444
112
Third closest open cluster . Reported for reference.
[2]
Corona Australis group
Corona Australis
450
4.5
[2]
Upper Corona Australis group
Corona Australis
480
10
[2]
Platais 8 cluster
Carina
489
60
Open cluster . Reported for reference.
[2] [16]
μ Tau association
μ Eridani , μ Tauri
Taurus
489
60
[17]
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