Open Cluster in Cepheus
This open cluster is known for its age and its proximity to the north celestial pole. Its estimated age is about 9 billion years, making it one of the oldest known open clusters.
NGC 188 is less than 5 degrees from the north celestial pole, so it is visible every clear night of the year for northern hemisphere observers. The cluster is quite faint, with its stars ranging from about magnitude 12 to 15, so it is not a dazzling object through a telescope. However, its 100 or more stars in a 15' circle make it easy to discriminate from the stellar backgound. It is a pleasing sight using a low-power eyepiece on a dark night.
| Magnitude | 8.1 |
| Apparent Size | 15' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 5,600 |
| Right Ascension | 0:47.5 |
| Declination | +85 15 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 42 minutes luminance and 30 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG STF-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
October 2020