| NGC 559 | |
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PanSTARRS image of NGC 559
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| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 01h29m 31.20s[1] |
| Declination | +63° 18′ 07.2″[1] |
| Distance | 7200 ly (2200 pc[1]) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +9.5 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 7.0′[2] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | Caldwell 8, Cr13 |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Cassiopeia |
| See also: Open cluster, List of open clusters | |
NGC 559 (also known as Caldwell 8) is an open cluster and Caldwell object in the constellation Cassiopeia. It shines at magnitude +9.5. Its celestial coordinates are RA 01h 29.5m , dec +63° 18′. It is located near the open cluster NGC 637, and the bright magnitude +2.2 irregular variable star Gamma Cassiopeiae. The cluster is 7 arcmins across.[2]
The object is also called Ghost's Goblet. This name was coined by astronomer Stephen J. O'Meara, as the center of the star cluster, with a little imagination, is reminiscent of a still photograph of a jeweled goblet that is about to vanish in a ghostly manner. O'Meara attributes the impression of fading to the low brightness (about +12) of many stars in the center as well as to the great age of the star cluster, which is about 1.8 billion years old.[3]
Media related to NGC 559 at Wikimedia Commons
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