Collinder 399 (Cr 399) - Coat Hanger

On this page I collect my observations of the asterism Cr 399, called Coat Hanger, Al Sufi's Cluster, or Brocchi's Cluster, in the constellation Vulpecula/Little Fox.

Introduction

The asterism Cr 399 is located in the constellation Vulpecula/Little Fox. Thanks to its shape, it is called Coat Hanger (see map below). As a target, it is better suited to binoculars than to telescopes (it can be seen as a whole with the Vespera).

Collinder 399
Size: 60' (Stoyan)
Distance: ---
Rating: *** (Stoyan)

Map

Overview map with Cr 399, the Coat Hanger, in constellation Vulpecula/Little Fox (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Find/Identify

Find: While I was not able to find the Coat Hanger Cr 399 in 2016, I succeeded in 2017 using two approaches:

I found the Coat Hanger Cr 399 between the stars Altair and Vega; on half the way there is a somewhat lighter star slightly above the direct link, apparently, this is Albireo, below but still above the connecting line, there is a double star (Anser), and below it finally the Coat Hanger (see map below).
You can find Cr 399 also using constellation Cygnus/Swan (stars Deneb, Sadr) and Albireo (see the overview map above).

Meanwhile, I usually search for the Coat Hanger using the second way.

Identify: Once you found the Coat Hanger Cr 399 in the ways as described above, it is also identified, because thereits look is unique (it may be upside down, depending on the type of your telescope, though...):

(Images Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

My Own Photos

Vaonis Vespera

Cr 399, Aug 7, 2022 - original (17 frames = 170s)

My Own Observations

Observations Summer to Autumn 2016

Regrettably, I did not find the Coat Hanger Cr 399. Location, observation date, and telescopes used are unknown/forgotten.

Observations September 2017

Sep 20, 2017 (Sumène, Haute Loire, France: LT binoculars): Cr 399 seen well with binoculars
Sep 21, 2017 (ditto): My wife Frau Astrid also found the Coat Hanger Cr 399 with binoculars (I saw it as well).
Sep 22, 2017 (ditto: LT binoculars, Heritage 100P): Cr 399 observed with binoculars and with the 100P (eyepieces: 24/16 mm); in the telescope, the Coat Hanger shape is less evident, because you see more stars -> binoculars are better suited to this objects.
Sep 29, 2017 (ditto: LT binoculars): Cr 399 seen with binoculars

Observations October / November 2017

October 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: LT, TS binoculars): Found Cr 399 with both binoculars - and always saw it well.
November 13, 2017 (ditto): Found Cr 399 with both binoculars (via Albireo) - and always saw it well.

Observations August 2018

August 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS binoculars): Found Cr 399 with binoculars - and always saw it well.

Observations September - November 2018

Sep 16, 2018 Sumène, France: TS bino, OM21 bino): Cr 399 (Coat Hanger) easy to find from Sagitta; can be seen nearly complete in the OM21, very good with TS
Oct 5, 2018 (Sumène, France: TS, LT bino): Cr 399 (Coat Hanger) seen well
Oct 14, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432, AZ Pronto Mount, TS, LT bino): Cr 399 (Coat Hanger) observed
Nov 12, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS bino): Cr 399 (Coat Hanger) observed
Nov 16, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432, AZ Pronto Mount): Cr 399 (Coat Hanger) observed with 28 mm eyepiece, fine dots

Observations September / October 2019

Sep 17, 2019 (Sumène, France: LT and TS bino, OM21 bino): Cr 399 (Coat Hanger) seen just "half" and with viewing indirectly with OM21; seen well with the other binoculars
Oct 3, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600, AZ Pronto Mount): Cr 399 just fits the field of view at 24 mm, nice (turned upside down).
Oct 31, 2019 (Erkerode: Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto Mount, LT and TS binoculars): Only part of Cr 399 fit in the field of view (region around the hook) (32 mm).

Observations August 2020

August 27, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ Pronto; TLAPO1027 on AZ4): Cr 399 observed, fine stars, a little larger in the APO

Observations August 2021

August 13, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ Pronto): Cr 399 observed (fits nearly the FOV with reducer)

Observations August 2022

August 7, 2021 (Erkerode: Vespera): Cr 399 photographed (fits nearly the FOV)

References

Brocchi's Cluster: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brocchi%27s_Cluster