Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cassiopeia (Cas)  ·  Contains:  NGC 659  ·  The star 44Cas
NGC559 Open Star Cluster, AlBroxton
NGC559 Open Star Cluster
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NGC559 Open Star Cluster

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Description

NGC 559, also Caldwell 8, is an open cluster and Caldwell object in the constellation Cassiopeia. It shines at magnitude +9.5. Its celestial coordinates are RA 01h 29.5m, dec +63° 18′. It is located near the open cluster NGC 637, and the bright magnitude +2.2 irregular variable star Gamma Cassiopeia. The cluster is 4.4 arcmins across. . Most of the cluster’s stars shine around magnitude 12 and pack into a roughly triangular core. This object is an open star cluster of about 50 stars located 3700 light years away in the constellation of Cassiopeia. This is my favorite non-Messier star cluster. The cluster is well defined with a good mix of blue and orange stars. The cluster is framed top and bottom by two bright stars, each of which appears to be its own cluster. Adding to the mix are dark dust areas left and right of the cluster, with the area to the right being particularly striking.

Observation Notes : A 12-inch instrument will double the number you’ll see, bringing into view many fainter members that appear as “background” to those visible through smaller scopes. Discovered by William Herschel 1787.

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NGC559 Open Star Cluster, AlBroxton