The constellation Cygnus is rich with countless celestial objects. Among these is the open star cluster NGC 6819, a great assembly of stars known as the Foxhead Cluster. Backyard astronomers can enjoy visiting the fox head on summer and autumn nights, much like the pioneering astronomer Caroline Herschel, who first observed it on May 12, 1784.1
The magnitude 7.3 “Fox Head Cluster” gets its nickname from how it appears in a telescope. Some people think the arrangement of stars resembles a fox’s head, while others, like myself, see it more as a pretty necklace. Check out my observation and the sketch below!
My Observations
| Date | June 6, 2024 |
| Time | 12:05 a.m. |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Magnification | 169x |
| Scope | Meade 8″ SCT |
| Eyepiece | 12mm |
| Seeing | Average |
| Transparency | Average |
Tonight is a new moon, so I’m greeted by clear, dark skies this early summer night. However, light pollution still hinders my ability to see the fainter stars that make up the quaint Foxhead Cluster. I must admit, I’m starting to rely on my imagination to visualize a fox’s head. I just don’t see the resemblance.
Two chains of slightly brighter stars extend from a central point, resembling a necklace, while the remaining stars between these chains are dim. Collectively, these dim stars form an irregular pattern that gives off a somewhat nebulous, cloudy appearance. The star field in which NGC 6819 is located is quite busy; nevertheless, this small cluster stands out from the background stars and presents itself amidst the vast starry backdrop of Cygnus.
Key Stats
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Best Viewing | Summer |
| Visual Magnitude | +7.3 |
| Absolute Visual Magnitude | -4.6 |
| Distance from Earth | 7,800 ly |
| Diameter | 29.6 ly |
| Milky Way Location | Orion Spur |
| My Viewing Grade | B |
| Designations | Collinder 403, NGC 6819 |
Sources
The banner photo is by Wayne McGraw. Backyard photo by Seestar.
1 NGC 6819. (2023, March 4). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_6819
The Garden Astronomer 
Afternoon Wayne – I could not help but giggle and immediately think of my “coyote/fox” necklace when I read about the Foxhead Cluster and you seeing a necklace but not the fox. I saw the basic necklace in a shop over here and immediately saw a coyote head with the diamonds as eyes – I added an elk ivory piece of my Dad’s for the tongue hanging out.
Can you see it now? Looking face on at you. It’s not quite as narrow as the NGC, but a mnemonic trigger maybe?
I really am progressing (thanks again) and I got so thrilled the other day to see Orion, for giggles I tried putting a cell phone up to the eyepeice. I’ll be dipped if it didn’t work???? I wanted to share it with my brother, who is Bort 8 or 9(Fresno). I spent the first 38 years of my life in Lynnwood, WA(Bort Cloudy) – so really never knew what was ‘up’. Moved to rural Western MT 21 years ago, looked up and went OMGoodness. Never saw so many stars in my life all together.
Just wanted to share – Have a wonderful Day! Dyan
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