Star Clusters – The Garden Astronomer

NGC 752: A Scattered Star Cluster with Some Sparks

Photo of the NGC 752 star cluster, showing the cluster of stars.

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!

Shows sketch of the star cluster NGC 6883 in constellation Cygnus.

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.

NGC 6871: A Simple Sparkling Cluster in Cygnus

Explore the open cluster NGC 6871 in Cygnus with my observing notes, sketch, and Seestar photo. I also highlight the fascinating Wolf–Rayet star WR 133.

Messier 52 (NGC 7654): A Small Scorpion in Cassiopeia

M52 is a condensed cluster of mostly faint stars sitting in the Milky Way sea of stars. This makes the object tougher to find.

Messier 20 (NGC 6514): The Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius

The Trifid Nebula, located in Sagittarius, is best viewed during summer months from June to August. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, it serves as a stellar nursery, approximately 5,200 light-years away. Modern telescopes have uncovered hidden stars and complex structures, making it a remarkable subject for backyard astronomers.

NGC 457: The Owl Cluster in Cassiopeia

An owl hides out in Cassiopeia, so on autumn and winter nights, turn your scope toward the constellation and look for cluster and its two bright stars that make up the eyes.