Messier 41 (also known as M41 or NGC 2287) is an open cluster in the constellation Canis Major.

[5] It lies about four degrees almost exactly south of Sirius, with which it forms a roughly equilateral triangle with Nu2 Canis Majoris to the west—all three figure in the same field in binoculars.

[6] It contains about 100 stars, including several red giants the brightest of which has spectral type K3, apparent magnitude 6.3 and is near the center, and some white dwarfs.

[10] Walter Scott Houston describes the appearance of the cluster in small telescopes:[11] Many visual observers speak of seeing curved lines of stars in M41.

Although they seem inconspicuous on photographs, the curves stand out strongly in my 10-inch [reflecting telescope], and the bright red star near the center of the cluster is prominent.