Star Clusters – Page 6 – The Garden Astronomer

NGC 6229: A Very Distant Globular Cluster

NGC 6229 is a dim globular cluster in the summer constellation of Hercules. It lies nearly 100,000 light year away in the outer halo of the Milky Way. Still, amateur astronomers using a modest telescope can still view it.

NGC 6633: This Captain Hook Cluster Pulls You In

NGC 6633 is a bright open cluster in Ophiuchus, nearly moon-sized in the sky. A stunning binocular target rich with blue-white stars for summer nights.

IC 4665: Say “Hi” to a Brilliant Star Cluster and a Black Cat

This post summarizes how to view the open star cluster IC 4665, which lies in the summer constellation of Ophiuchus. IC 4665 is a large, course, and young star cluster with 30 stars, which are mostly blue-white or white in color. It’s a great object to view and enjoy with binoculars from the suburbs. Also known as Collinder 349 and Melotte 179.

Messier 14 (NGC 6402): Globular Cluster with an Elongated Glow

Messier 14 (NGC 6402) is a globular cluster in Ophiuchus best viewed in summer. It is slightly elongated in shape and looked fairly dim in my 8-inch SCT scope from the suburbs as my sketch shows. Still, it’s bright enough to see with binoculars from dark skies.

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.

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.