Caldwell 37

Also Known as: NGC 6885

Object Type: Open Cluster

Constellation: Vulpecula

Distance from Earth: 1,950 light years

Apparent Magnitude: 8.1

Coordinates: RA 20H 12M 0S DEC 26 deg 29 min 0 sec

Actual Size: 4 light years

Apparent Dimensions: 7 arc-minutes x 18 arc-minutes

Discovered by: This object has somewhat of a confusing history. In September 1784, William Herschel discovered two open clusters, NGC 6882 and NGC 6885.
He subsequently catalogued them, but with virtually identical descriptions.
Since no cluster exists that matches the location and description of NGC 6882, many astronomers believe that Herschel made a mistake and simply repeated his observation. However, the story doesn't end here.
Adding to the confusion is a fainter, smaller and less rich cluster, Collinder 416, that's positioned at the northwestern edge of NGC 6885. Some astronomers believe this to be NGC 6882.
On 9 September 1784 William Herschel discovered a cluster which he logged as VIII 20 and measured its position from star 18 Vulpeculae (1 minute following, 27 arcminutes south).
He noted «A cluster of coarsely scattered stars, not rich.» In the following night he sweeped again over the same field of view, logged a cluster as VIII 22, measuring its position again from star 18 Vulpeculae (1m 12s following, 12 arcminutes south).
The coordinates of VIII 20 point directly to the cluster known today as NGC 6885.
But for VIII 22 there's nothing on that position. Obviously he observed the same cluster twice and made an error of 15 arcminutes in declination.
John Herschel observed this cluster on 18 August 1828 and identified it with VIII 20 and listed it as number 2071 in his «Slough Catalogue» of 1833.
He noted: «Splendid cluster. More than fills the field; loose and straggling; poor in stars, one = 6.7 m whose place is given; the rest 9, 10, 11.»

Description: NGC 6885, also Caldwell 37, is an open cluster in the constellation Vulpecula.
It surrounds the naked star 20 Vulpeculae, and is located near M27 (Dumbbell nebula), the nebula IC 4954, and open clusters NGC 6882 and NGC 6940.
NGC 6882/6885 is grouped around the brightest member star, 20 Vul (mag. +5.9).
Located 1.5 degrees northeast of NGC 6882/6885 is 23 Vul, which at magnitude +4.5 is the second brightest star in the constellation.
Positioned 9 degrees west-northwest of the cluster is the beautiful double star Albireo (mag. +2.9) in Cygnus.
The age of the cluster is estimated to be 1.44 billion years.

Click Below Image(s) for Full Size:

NGC 6885 is an open cluster in the faint constellation of Vulpecula that can just about be seen with the naked eye, is easy with binoculars and has up to 40 stars visible through telescopes.
NGC 6885 is best observed in the late summer or early months.

Platesolve

NGC 6885 Open Cluster

Imaging Details
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