Key Takeaways:
- NGC 225, an open cluster in Cassiopeia, exhibits a visually striking, near-circular arrangement of stars.
- Estimated to be approximately 150 million years old, NGC 225 is located at a distance of roughly 2,200 light-years from Earth.
- With a total magnitude of 7.0, NGC 225 is observable with binoculars, possessing an apparent size of 12 arcminutes.
- The cluster's vicinity includes associated features such as the reflection nebula van den Bergh 4 and the dark nebula LDN 1302.
If you have the time and clear sky to the north, you might want to check out an open cluster that is seldom observed. An “average joe” open cluster in Cassiopeia nonetheless appears fairly bright and presents an almost circular pattern of stars.
This is NGC 225, sometimes called the Sailboat Cluster, or more recently the Halloween Cat for a group of stars within the cluster.
NGC 225 is a relatively young cluster at roughly 150 million years, and lies about 2,200 light-years away.
Its total magnitude is bright enough to make it visible in binoculars, at 7.0. The cluster spreads over 12’, about a third the diameter of the Full Moon.
Other interesting features are intertwined with the same low-power field of view. A faint reflection nebula, van den Bergh 4, is associated with the cluster. Nearby lies a prominent dark nebula, LDN 1302.
