NGC 654 is conveniently located near a pair of stars in Cassiopeia's W-asterism. 2.7 magnitude Ruchbah (Delta Cas) lies about 3 degrees to the southwest and 3.4 magnitude Segin (Epsilon Cas) lies 2 degrees to the north-northeast. The sketch at left captures NGC 654 as viewed in the 10-inch Newtonian at 129X. The 6.5 magnitude cluster is centered with 7.3 magnitude HD 10494 standing at the southeast edge. A semicircular arrangement of three 11th and 12th magnitude GSC stars partially wraps this bright star. Seven additional cluster members share a 5' diameter area. Averted vision reveals numerous fainter stars. Eighteen field stars frame NGC 654, with the brightest of these being a 9th magnitude GSC star stationed about 13' southeast of the cluster. While you're in the area, don't miss NGC 663, which is just 42' to the southeast.