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 inContinueContinue reading “NGC 7243: An Open Cluster with a Bonus Double Star in the Center”
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
NGC 6940: An Open Cluster with a Cherry on Top
NGC 6940 is an open star cluster situated 2,500 light-years away from us and best viewed in the summertime or early autumn. The older cluster features a rich field of red giants. The stars are fairly scattered across an area the size of the moon in the sky.
Mars: Enjoying the View of the Red Planet
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. At 162 million miles away, light from the Red Planet takes fourteen minutes to reach us. According to NASA, the iron materials in Mars’ soil oxidize, which means the planet is literally a rusty rock. While sky gazers have recorded Mars’ existence and movement across the heavensContinueContinue reading “Mars: Enjoying the View of the Red Planet”
Messier 56 (NGC 6779): A Globular Cluster Screaming Toward Us
This grouping of stars is around 84 light-year in diameter. What’s more, it’s screaming toward the earth at around 345,000 miles per hour!
NGC 6820 and NGC 6823: Cluster of Blue Stars with a Beautiful Nebula
The star cluster NGC 6823 lies roughly 6,000 light-years away and appears in the summertime constellation Vulpecula. Adding to this stellar picture is a small emission nebula (known as NGC 6820) that surrounds NGC 6823 and its core of young blue stars. Together, these two NGCs belong to a larger faint emission nebula called SH2-86.ContinueContinue reading “NGC 6820 and NGC 6823: Cluster of Blue Stars with a Beautiful Nebula”
NGC 7063: A Cluster Looking Like the Big Dipper
NGC 7063 is an open cluster in the constellation Cygnus. It’s best viewed in summer through early autumn. This 7th-magnitude cluster is best viewed with a telescope. It is 2200 light years away from us and relatively small at six light years in diameter. My Observations DateOctober 1, 2022Time9:40 p.m.LocationSeattle, WAMagnification169xScopeMeade 8″ SCTEyepiece12mmSeeingGoodTransparencyGood Key StatsContinueContinue reading “NGC 7063: A Cluster Looking Like the Big Dipper”
NGC 6934: A Globular Cluster Far From Home in Delpinus
NGC 6934 is one of the farthest clusters visible through amateur scopes. At 51,200 light years from earth, this globular approaches the “outer banks” of our galaxy.
NGC 6664: A Faint Letter “M” Cluster in Scutum
NGC 6664 is an open cluster in the constellation Scutum. It’s best viewed in late summer and early autumn. William Herschel discovered on June 16, 1784. This 7th magnitude cluster is almost 4000 light years away from us. While fairly dim under suburban skies, you can enjoy it with most telescopes. My Observations September 6,ContinueContinue reading “NGC 6664: A Faint Letter “M” Cluster in Scutum”
The Garden Astronomer 