December 21, 2006
The story “Explore winter’s 12 best star clusters” in the February 2007 issue contained several images of clusters the author discussed. Here, we present five additional snapshots of star clusters described in the story. Compare these images to the views you get through your telescope.
The story “Explore winter’s 12 best star clusters” in the February 2007 issue contained several images of clusters the author discussed. Here, we present five additional snapshots of star clusters described in the story. Compare these images to the views you get through your telescope.
NGC 2158 in Gemini lies roughly half a degree southwest of the bright open cluster M35. Together, NGC 2158 and M35 form an unmistakable pair of clusters through low-power eyepieces.
NEIL JACOBSTEIN/ADAM BLOCK/NOAO/AURA/NSF
M36 in Auriga shines at magnitude 6.3 and measures 12′ across. It lies approximately 4,000 light-years away.
STEVE CANNISTRA
NGC 2362 ranks as one of the finest in the sky. A 4th-magnitude triple star sits smack-dab at this cluster’s center.
TIM HUNTER
M37 in Auriga is one of the sky’s richest open clusters. M37 glows at magnitude 5.6 and measures 15′ across.
LEE C. COOMBS
M38 and NGC 1907 both lie in Auriga. M38 is not as rich as M37, which lies roughly 6° to M38’s southeast. Use moderate magnification (100x), and try to see a figure many observers have mentioned — the Greek capital letter Pi. M38 is the large cluster above center, and NGC 1907 is the more compact cluster below center.
GEORGE GREANEY
NGC 2158 in Gemini lies roughly half a degree southwest of the bright open cluster M35. Together, NGC 2158 and M35 form an unmistakable pair of clusters through low-power eyepieces.
NEIL JACOBSTEIN/ADAM BLOCK/NOAO/AURA/NSF
M36 in Auriga shines at magnitude 6.3 and measures 12′ across. It lies approximately 4,000 light-years away.
STEVE CANNISTRA
NGC 2362 ranks as one of the finest in the sky. A 4th-magnitude triple star sits smack-dab at this cluster’s center.
TIM HUNTER
M37 in Auriga is one of the sky’s richest open clusters. M37 glows at magnitude 5.6 and measures 15′ across.
LEE C. COOMBS
M38 and NGC 1907 both lie in Auriga. M38 is not as rich as M37, which lies roughly 6° to M38’s southeast. Use moderate magnification (100x), and try to see a figure many observers have mentioned — the Greek capital letter Pi. M38 is the large cluster above center, and NGC 1907 is the more compact cluster below center.
GEORGE GREANEY
