Deep space
NGC 7243
Open cluster · C16 · NGC 7243
Open cluster in Lacerta
Photo: Egres73 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
NGC 7243 is an open cluster of stars in the northern constellation of Lacerta. Alternatively, it has the designation Caldwell 16 from the Caldwell catalogue. This cluster was discovered on September 26, 1788 by German-English astronomer William Herschel. It shines at magnitude +6.4, and is located near the naked-eye stars Alpha Lacertae, 4 Lacertae, an A-class double star, and planetary nebula IC 5217. NGC 7243 lies at a distance of approximately 2,864 light-years (878.0 pc).
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~2,500 light-years
Apparent mag.
+6.4
Apparent size
15.0′
Best seen with
Naked eye (dark sky)
Catalogue
C16 · NGC 7243
Did you know
- Listed as Caldwell 16 in the Caldwell catalogue, also known as NGC 7243.
- Found in the constellation Lacerta.
- Visible to the naked eye from a dark, moonless site.
