NGC 7281: Open Star Cluster with a Belt in Cepheus

NGC 7281 is an open cluster in the constellation Cepheus best viewed on autumn nights.

The cluster lies 5284 light years away with an approximate diameter of 12 arcminutes in the sky, which tells us its physically around 18 light years in diameter. Out of NGC 7281’s 20+ star members, three brighter equidistant stars make a line across the cluster. This line will help backyard astronomers confirm they’ve landed on the correct target.

According to Webb Deep-Sky Society, some debate exists about NGC 7281 as a true star cluster. You can read more here.

Historically speaking, John Herschel first recorded NGC 7281 as he swept the sky on October 5, 1829, describing it as a large “coarse, not extremely poor, [with] the stars scattered and 10 – 16 magnitude.”

My Observations

Due to hazy conditions tonight, I’m unable to resolve dimmer stars in this cluster. Most notably, the three most prominent stars in the cluster are bright white and run in a straight line, looking somewhat like a miniature Orion’s belt.

Key Stats

Constellation	Cepheus
Best Viewing	Autumn
Visual Magnitude	+8
Distance from Earth	5284 ly
Milky Way Location	Orion Spur
My Viewing Grade	C+

Sources and Notes

Banner graphic created from R/B-band color composite image from the Second Digitized Sky Survey (DSS2), measuring 10 arcminutes across.

AKA: NGC 7281