Blog – Page 37 – The Garden Astronomer

Messier 53 (NGC 5024): An Old, Bold Globular Cluster on the Outskirts of the Milky Way

Messier 53 is a globular cluster on the outskirts of our galaxy at nearly 60,000 light years above us. M53 is also unique as it has a more blue straggler stars than other globulars.

NGC 2129: Gemini’s Youthful Star Cluster

Not much is written about NGC 2129 in Gemini as this is a small cluster, but it houses two bright stars that are likely a binary. And, it's a very young cluster in our galaxy.

NGC 2506: A Star Cluster in a Black Ocean

NGC 2506 is fainter open cluster in the constellation of Monoceros in winter. Around 150 stars make up the cluster, and it looks best through a telescope. Amateur astronomers also know the cluster by the names Caldwell 54, Melotte 80, and Collinder 170.

Messier 46 (NGC 2437): Rich Cluster in Puppis Featuring a Bonus Nebula

Messier 46 is a rich cluster of more than 500 stars. It makes its home in the southern constellation of Puppis.

1 Camelopardalis: A White and Sapphire Blue Double Dances Around the Celestial Pole

1 Camelopardalis, also known as DL Cam, is a double and variable star in the constellation Camelopardalis and is viewable much of the year as it circles close to the North Star. The blue-white pair are fairly tight together at 10 arcseconds apart. They are also known as Struve 550 (STF 550), SAO 24670, HIP 21148

Messier 47 (NGC 2422): A Bright, Young Cluster in Southern Skies

Messier 47 graces the southern skies in the constellation Puppis. While only 50 or so stars make up this cluster, they are bright, blue, and ready to be enjoyed with binoculars or telescopes.

Messier 41 (NGC 2287): The Little Beehive in Canis Major

Messier 41 lies south of the bright star Sirius and covers an area nearly the size of the moon. I credit this wintertime cluster for inspiring my life-long love of astronomy. Learn why.

NGC 2232: A Bright Star Cluster at Home in the Gould Belt

NGC 2232 is an open star cluster that lies in the dim reaches of the constellation of Monoceros. Not to be overlooked, this cluster is attractive in the eyepiece and is part of the fascinating Gould Belt.