H-NGC7686
Open Cluster in Andromeda
About
A loose open cluster in Andromeda with around 80 stars by one count, bright enough at magnitude 5.6 for binoculars. Distance estimates run from about 900 to 3,000 light-years. A 1961 study found no cluster sequence among its stars and concluded it is not a real cluster.
Imaging tips
- At 15′ across it fills a good part of the frame at 1620–2690 mm on APS-C, or 2480–4130 mm on full frame.
- One imager framed it in a 68′-wide field with an 80 mm f/5.6 refractor: 14 × 5 min of luminance plus 8 × 2.5 min each of RGB.
- Whether the brighter stars belong to the cluster is unclear, so expect a scattered starfield rather than a tight group.
- Best around August and September; from 50°N it reaches almost the zenith (about 89°).
Facts
- Size
- 15′
- Magnitude
- 5.6
- Coordinates
- RA 23h 29.7m, Dec +49° 10′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1620–2690 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 2480–4130 mm
- Best months
- Aug, Sep
- Peak altitude
- 89° from 50°N, 76° from 35°N