Herschel 400 Objects

NGC 659: Open Star Cluster (Cassiopeia) RA: 01h 44.4m / DEC: +60° 40'.2
Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder

This is one of many open star clusters within the borders of the queen of the night sky, Cassiopeia. The impressive Messier cluster, M103 is located just 1.4 degrees to the west, about halfway between NGC 659 and 2.7 magnitude Ruchbah, Beta Cassiopeiae. A 129X view in my 10-inch Starfinder Newtonian is rendered in the sketch at left. The 7.9 magnitude cluster is slightly offset to accommodate several bright field stars. An 8th magnitude GSC star stands 4' from the southern field boundary. 5.8 magnitude 44 Cassiopeiae shines about 11' southwest of NGC 659. As for the cluster, my drawing presents about 12 member stars. These are gathered just east of the center of the field, with the brightest of these shining at 10th magnitude. When you've finished with this little gem, slew 36' to the northwest and NGC 663.


NGC 654 NGC 663

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Revised: January 18, 2003 [WDF]