Explore the Pi Puppis Cluster (Collinder 135), a bright, loose star group in Puppis, with tips for finding it and a personal binocular observing story.
Category Archives: Star Clusters
Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174): Orion’s Hidden Face
Explore the Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174) in Orion—its glowing red gas, newborn stars, discovery history, and tips for observing this hidden winter deep-sky object.
NGC 2362: The Radiant Tau Canis Majoris Cluster
Explore NGC 2362 and Tau Canis Majoris, the “Mexican Jumping Star”—a young, dazzling open cluster gem of winter skies for backyard astronomers.
Messier 93: The Wedge-Shaped Open Cluster in Puppis
Learn about Messier 93, a wedge-shaped open star cluster in Puppis—its history and how to observe it with binoculars or a telescope.
NGC 752: A Scattered Star Cluster with Some Sparks
NGC 752 is a loose open star cluster in Andromeda, best seen in autumn and winter, offering subtle beauty and a glimpse into stellar aging.
NGC 663: A Star Cluster Known for its Massive Star Evolution
Explore NGC 663 (Caldwell 10), a rich open star cluster in Cassiopeia, ideal for studying massive stars and double stars.
NGC 6883: Star Cluster Looks Like Asteroids!
Explore NGC 6883, a small star cluster in Cygnus, and discover its connection to a sprawling stellar neighborhood. Includes sketch under suburban skies.
IC 4996: A Faint, Yet Rich Star Cluster in Cygnus
Explore IC 4996, a young open star cluster in Cygnus. Discover its brilliant blue stars, stellar youth, and tips for observing this cosmic nursery.
The Garden Astronomer 