M52 · open cluster

Messier 52

Messier 52 or M52, also known as NGC 7654 or the Scorpion Cluster, is an open cluster of stars in the highly northern constellation of Cassiopeia.

RA23h 24m 48sDec+61° 35' 35"

Image: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M52
All designations: M52 · NGC 7654
Object type: Open Cluster
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Best viewing: Autumn · Winter

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 23h 24m 48s
Declination (J2000): +61° 35' 35"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

Messier 52 or M52, also known as NGC 7654 or the Scorpion Cluster, is an open cluster of stars in the highly northern constellation of Cassiopeia. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1774. It can be seen from Earth under a good night sky with binoculars. The brightness of the cluster is influenced by extinction, which is stronger in the southern half. Its metallicity is somewhat below that of the Sun, and is estimated to be [Fe/H] = −0.05 ± 0.01.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0