C37
Open Cluster in Vulpecula
About
NGC 6885, an open cluster in Vulpecula about 1,950 light-years away, centred on the naked-eye star 20 Vulpeculae. Sources give its width as 7′ to 20′, and a fainter, sparser group, NGC 6882, sits just north with edge stars that seem to merge with it.
Imaging tips
- 20 Vulpeculae, at magnitude 5.9, sits in the middle and outshines the fainter members, so expect to manage its glare.
- Sources put it at 7′ to 20′ across, with the fainter NGC 6882 right beside it, so frame somewhat wider than the cluster itself.
- A rich Milky Way star field fills the background, and the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) lies about 5° away, so it takes a much wider frame to include both.
- The core holds about a dozen brighter members, and the Milky Way behind them is thick with stars.
- Best in July and August; it peaks near 66° altitude from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 15′
- Magnitude
- 6.0
- Coordinates
- RA 20h 12.0m, Dec +26° 29′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1620–2690 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 2480–4130 mm
- Best months
- Jul, Aug
- Peak altitude
- 67° from 50°N, 82° from 35°N