NGC 225 is an open star cluster in the constellation of Cassiopeia. It’s sometimes referred to as the Sailboat Cluster, as the stars make out a sailboat shape at wider magnifications.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Messier 31 (NGC 224): That’s No Nebula! That’s a Galaxy! Welcome to Andromeda
Andromeda is the most distant thing humans can see with the unaided eye. Also, it’s of great historical significance for helping astronomers understand the grand scheme of the universe.
Messier 50 (NGC 2323): That’s an “M” for Monoceros! An Open Star Cluster in Monoceros
Messier 50 is an open star cluster in the constellation Monoceros. It’s best viewed in winter. Discovered by Giovanni Domenico Cassini in 1710, Messier 50 is part of the constellation Monoceros but lies near Canis Major. I’ve read various descriptions of the cluster over the years, including it looking like a “coil,” a “heart,” or,ContinueContinue reading “Messier 50 (NGC 2323): That’s an “M” for Monoceros! An Open Star Cluster in Monoceros”
Messier 15 (NGC 7078): A Heavy Duty Dense Globular Cluster in Pegasus
Messier 15 is a globular cluster in the constellation Pegasus. It’s best viewed in Autumn. In August 1746, astronomers noticed the appearance of a comet called Cheseaux’s Comet. A month later on September 7, astronomer Jean-Dominique Maraldi was interested in the new arrival when he landed upon Messier 15 in the constellation Pegasus. Best viewedContinueContinue reading “Messier 15 (NGC 7078): A Heavy Duty Dense Globular Cluster in Pegasus”
Epsilon Lyrae: Four Stars for the Price of Two — A Double Double
Epsilon Lyrae is a double binary system in the constellation Lyra. It’s best viewed in summer through early autumn. While some doubles are notable because of contrasting color, Epsilon Lyrae holds a surprise for first-time observers. On first look through binoculars or small scopes, you’ll see a pair of stars. Take a closer look, andContinueContinue reading “Epsilon Lyrae: Four Stars for the Price of Two — A Double Double”
NGC 7243: An Open Cluster with a Bonus Double Star in the Center
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”
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”
The Garden Astronomer 