Deep space
Scorpion Cluster
Open cluster · M52 · NGC 7654
Open cluster in Cassiopeia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
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.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~5,000 light-years
Apparent mag.
+7.3
Apparent size
13′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M52 · NGC 7654
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 52 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 7654.
- Found in the constellation Cassiopeia.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
