NGC 2538 is a bright open star cluster located in the constellation of Carina. It is approximately 2,000 light-years away from Earth and contains several hundred stars, many of which are young and hot. The cluster is estimated to be around 100 million years old. Discovered by John Herschel in 1834, NGC 2538 is notable for its relatively high concentration of stars in a small area. It is often studied by astronomers to understand the formation and evolution of star clusters, as well as the dynamics of stellar populations within them.