Open Cluster in Cassiopeia
NGC 129 is a group of several dozen stars in an area of about half the diameter of the full Moon. It is located in the Cassiopeia Milky Way, and the background is dense with dim stars.
The appearance of an open cluster can vary greatly depending on one's equipment and viewing conditions. Some sources describe the cluster as a wedge shape pointing south (downward in this image). But the main feature I see in this image is an oval ring of stars with bright yellow-orange stars at the top and bottom of the oval.
| Magnitude | 6.5 |
| Apparent Size | 14' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 5,300 |
| Right Ascension | 0:30.0 |
| Declination | +60 13 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 50 minutes luminance and 26 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG STF-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/5.5.
November 2024