NGC 2362 is the Tau Canis Majoris Cluster, an open cluster in Canis Major.

NGC 2362 surrounds the magnitude 4.37 star Tau Canis Majoris. The triangular-shaped cluster contains 60 stars with a total mass of 500 solar masses. Tau itself is the brightest member of the cluster and is a type-O luminous supergiant and one of the most luminous known.

NGC 2362 is known as the Mexican Jumping Bean cluster because when Tau is looked at directly, the cluster's view is greatly diminished, but when looked at with averted vision, it jumps back to prominence. This is a similar effect seen with some planetary nebula, such as NGC 6826, the Blinking Planetary in Cygnus. When the central star is observed with direct vision, the nebula tends to vanish, but pops back into sight when averted vision is used.

The cluster is located at a distance of 4,800 light-years away, and is estimated to be 4 million to 5 million years old.

NGC 2362 was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna in 1654, and independently rediscovered in 1783 by William Herschel.

North is to the top in the above image.

NGC 2362 Catalogs: NGC 2362, OCL 633 Common Name: Tau Canis Majoris Cluster, Mexican Jumping Bean Cluster Object Type: Open Cluster Magnitude: 3.8v Size: 6' Constellation: Canis Major Image Field Centered At: RA: 07h 18m 47s Dec: -24° 58' 05"