IC 4996 is a small but fascinating open cluster. Located roughly 2,500 light-years away, this cluster serves as a cosmic nursery, containing some of the youngest stars in our part of the Milky Way. With an estimated age of only 8 million years, IC 4996 is practically a stellar toddler in the grand timeline of the universe.
Despite its youth, IC 4996 is a compact and bright cluster, making it an excellent target for amateur astronomers with moderate telescopes. Its stars are predominantly blue-white B-type stars, shining with a crisp brilliance against the backdrop of the Milky Way. The cluster is often observed near the edge of the Cyg OB1 association, a region characterized by intense star-forming activity.
For astrophotographers and skywatchers, IC 4996 offers a subtle but rewarding view. Although it may not have the dramatic nebulosity of its neighboring clusters, its tightly packed stars present a delicate and elegant scene. Observing the cluster is like glimpsing a quiet stellar playground, where young stars are still settling into their cosmic roles.
My Observations
| Date | November 8, 2022 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Magnification | 254x |
| Scope | Meade 8″ SCT |
| Eyepiece | 8mm |
| Seeing | Average |
| Transparency | Good |
On this November night, the rising full moon deep in the east is already illuminating the sky too much. I’m unable to identify the dimmer stars that I believe I saw during my first observation on August 22, 2020. I didn’t sketch the cluster back in 2020, so I’m doing it now. I just wish I could see more of the dimmer stream of stars.
August 22, 2020, at 10:15 p.m.: Even though this cluster doesn’t appear too popular, I find it to be a gem. Looking closely, there are about 6 stars that appear like a parallel staircase. I also imagine two waterfalls hiding in the vast and rich constellation of Cygnus.
Key Stats
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Best Viewing | Summer |
| Visual Magnitude | +6.8 |
| Absolute Magnitude | -3.6 |
| Distance from Earth | 4,000 ly |
| Diameter | 16.1 ly |
| Apparent Size | 14 arcmin |
| Milky Way Location | Perseus |
| My Viewing Grade | B+ |
Sources
Photo top of page by Roberto Mura and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Sketch by Wayne McGraw
The Garden Astronomer 