NGC 7243 is an open cluster in the constellation Lacerta. It’s best viewed in autumn through early winter.
With lower power, the cluster appears as if it’s broken into distinct clumps with around 70 stars under magnitude 9. Notably, at the center of the cluster is the double star Struve 2890. The cluster floats in the river of Milky Way stars, so take time to try different power eyepieces to understand how the cluster is aligned.
My Observations
| Date | October 5, 2020 |
| Time | 10:32 p.m. |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Magnification | 102x |
| Scope | Meade 8″ SCT |
| Eyepiece | 20mm |
| Seeing | Average |
| Transparency | Average |
Using a 20mm eyepiece, NGC 7243 looks like a two clusters of bright stars. In the middle of the field (up to 15mm eyepiece), it appears there is a small double star. Something about this cluster draws me in. It’s tough to explain right now. It’s as if I’m floating through space and I’m near the cluster. Some of the cluster’s stars slightly fade in and out.
Other Dates Observed:
- September 30, 2021 at 8:30 p.m.
Key Stats
| Constellation | Lacerta |
| Best Viewing | Fall |
| Visual Magnitude | +6.4 |
| Absolute Magnitude | -3.1 |
| Distance from Earth | 2,800 ly |
| Diameter | 22 ly |
| Apparent Size | 29 arcmin |
| Milky Way Location | Orion Spur |
| My Viewing Grade | B |
Sources
- The photo of NGC 7243 is credited to Egres73. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
- Sketch by Wayne McGraw
- AKA: Caldwell 16
The Garden Astronomer 