Introduction | Map | Sketch | My Own Photos | My Own Observations | References
On this page I collect my observations of the open star cluster NGC 457 (Owl Cluster, E.T. Cluster) in the constellation Cassiopeia.
The open star cluster NGC 457 in the constellation Cassiopeia got its name Owl Cluster due to its characteristic shape; it is also called E.T. Cluster. This object is fairly small und I need a telescope to see it. Using binoculars, I see only the brightest star, that is, one of the eyes, and perhaps a faint glow...
NGC 457 (Owl Cluster, E.T. Cluster)
Size: 15' x 10' (Stoyan)
Distance: 9,400 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: *** (Stoyan)
NGC 457 (Owl Cluster, E.T. cluster) is at the right edge of the star field in Cassiopeia including M 103, NGC 654, and NGC 663. For orientation purposes, the Andromeda Galaxy M 31 is included in the map, as well as the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 884/869 and above it St 2, which, according to Stoyan, is a "must" for small telescopes. (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides a rough impression of what I observed in autumn 2017: Sketch of the NGC 457 Nebula by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016)
Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.
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NGC 457 - Feb 6, 2020 |
NGC 457 - Sep 7, 2020 |
NGC 457 - Sep 7, 2020 |
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NGC 457 - Sep 7, 2020, processed |
NGC 457 - Sep 7, 2020, processed |
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| NGC 457 - Nov 24, 2022; hazy | NGC 457 - Nov 24, 2022, processed |
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NGC 457, Aug 12, 2022 - original (2 frames = 20 seconds) |
NGC 457, Aug 12, 2022 - original (30 frames = 300 seconds) |
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NGC 457, Nov 5, 2024 - 2000 (60 frames = 10 min) |
NGC 457, Nov 5, 2024 - 2000 (60 frames = 10 min), processed |
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Evaluation with nova.astrometry.net (section right) |
NGC 457, Nov 5, 2024 - 1800 (60 frames = 10 min), section, processed (TIFF) |
