NGC 559 (Caldwell 8): A Small Flying V Cluster in Cassiopeia

NGC 559, also number eight in the Caldwell collection, is an open star cluster in the constellation Cassiopeia. Backyard astronomers in the northern hemisphere will have the best views of the cluster on autumn nights.

As a smaller, dimmer, and older open cluster, NGC 559 has a visual magnitude of +9.5. It’s almost too dim for binoculars, but those with small to mid-size telescopes can view it. At nearly 8,000 light years away, this grouping of stars makes its home in the Perseus arm farther out in the galaxy.

NGC 559’s span reaches a total of 9 arc minutes, while its core is closer to 5 arc minutes, so it’s not that large in the sky. Observers estimate it has around 30-50 stars.¹ Of note, if you are sauntering through this area, be sure to take in several other bright clusters in the area, including NGC 654, NGC 663, NGC 659, and M 103.

Historically speaking, William Herschel discovered NGC 559 on November 9, 1787. ¹

My Observations

I’m able to see about 6-7 brighter stars in this smaller cluster, which are surrounded by a handful of dimmer ones. The brighter ones make out a sideways “V” pattern “>.” Other than this pattern, there are no other remarkable features. An owl hoots nearby as I finish this drawing as if saying goodnight to me. Hoarfrost has been slowly developing on the grass, and every step I take around the scope crunches. This observation will be my last tonight. Tonight ends a brilliant week of observing. The nights have been crisp and cold, but the clouds will roll in from the coast, and by morning the sky will turn gray for a week. I’m grateful for the nights I’ve been given.

Key Stats

Constellation	Cassiopeia
Best Viewing	Autumn
Visual Magnitude	+9.5
Distance from Earth	7,900 ly
Milky Way Location	Perseus Arm
My Viewing Grade	C+

Sources and Notes

Banner graphic by Roberto Mura. The file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Detail here.

¹ Freestarcharts.com. (n.d.). NGC 559 – Open Cluster. Retrieved December 18, 2022, from https://freestarcharts.com/ngc-559

AKA: NGC 559, Cladwell 8, C 8