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Owl Cluster

Dragonfly Cluster, ET Cluster, Kachina Doll Cluster, C13, NGC 457

Proper NamesOwl Cluster, Dragonfly Cluster, ET Cluster, Kachina Doll Cluster
Caldwell NumberC13
NGC/IC NumberNGC 457
ConstellationCassiopeia
Right Ascension1h 19m 35s
Declination+58° 17' 12"
Distancec.7,900 light years
c.2,400 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +6.4
Absolute: -5.5
DiameterApparent: 20'
Actual: 46 light years
Number of Starsc. 250
Optimum VisibilityOctober / November (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
NotesThis open cluster has two stars shining more brightly than the rest, giving the impression of a pair of 'eyes' that leads to the common name of the 'Owl Cluster'. These two stars are Phi Cassiopeiae and HD 7209, though there is still some question as to whether Phi Cassiopeiae actually belongs to the cluster, or simply falls in its foreground as seen from Earth.

This is a fairly populous cluster in the constellation of Cassiopeia, containing about two hundred and fifty stars. This young star-group lies a little under 8,000 light years from the Sun.

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