Star Clusters – Page 5 – The Garden Astronomer

NGC 559 (Caldwell 8): A Small Flying V Cluster in Cassiopeia

NGC 559, also known as Caldwall 8, is a small, dim cluster in the constellation Cassiopeia. The cluster features 6-8 brighter stars, but at a total

NGC 7789: Caroline’s Rose

NGC 7789 is an open star cluster in the constellation of Cassiopeia. It’s also known as Caroline’s Rose or the White Rose Cluster. It’s best viewed on autumn nights. With a rather bright magnitude of 6.7, it’s hard to believe Charles Messier didn’t catalog this large and dense cluster. Thankfully, in 1783, Caroline Herschel recorded this splendid object.

NGC 869 and 884: The Famous Sparkling Double Cluster

NGC 869 along with NGC 884 create a breathtaking cluster of stars floating in the constellation of Perseus. Like diamonds sparkling in a dark room, the Double Cluster lights up the autumn sky as it spreads itself as wide as new full moons.

NGC 7160: An Alligator Swims through Cepheus

NGC 7160 is a small, yet bright open cluster in the constellation Cepheus. With a magnitude of 6, backyard astronomers can view it with binoculars, though a telescope will be better.

NGC 7281: Open Star Cluster with a Belt in Cepheus

NGC 7281, an open cluster in Cepheus, shines on autumn nights. Look for its 20+ stars, including three bright ones forming a helpful line for observers.

NGC 7039: A Cluster in Cygnus’ Sea of Stars

NGC 7039 is an open cluster with close to 100 stars in Cygnus, making it a good target for backyard astronomers in the northern hemisphere in summer.

NGC 6830: An Older Cluster Brings New Discoveries

Vulpecula’s NGC 6830 is an older cluster with about 50 dim stars and is located around 5,300 light years away. Though many of its residents are dim, the cluster contains a few brighter stars making this a good target for backyard astronomers with a small to middle size telescope.

Messier 26 (NGC 6694): The Cluster with a Little Hole

Messier 26 (NGC 6694) is an open cluster found in the constellation Scutum. It is best viewed in the summer in the northern hemisphere. Messier 26 is a fainter grouping of around 30 stars.