Also Known as:
Object Type: Open Cluster
Constellation: Cepheus
Distance from Earth: 5,500 light years
Apparent Magnitude: 8.4
Coordinates: RA 22H 21M 00S DEC 58 deg 10 min 38 sec
Actual Size: 11 light years
Apparent Dimensions: 7 arc-minutes
Discovered by: John Herschel discovered NGC 7261 on October 5, 1829, during his 215th sweep. It was first published in his 1833 catalog as JH 2159.
Description: NGC 7261 is an open star cluster lying 55,000 light years away in the constellation of Cepheus. It is a fairly scattered cluster.
Its age is only 47 million years making it a rather young open cluster.
The stars are mostly blue. A cluster that young should be full of very blue stars. The reason is it is reddened by nearly a full magnitude by dust in our galaxy that lies between us and the cluster.
NGC 7261 is located in the constellation Cepheus, along with NGC 7281. The two objects can fit in the same low-power field and are sometimes referred to as an "Unsung Double Cluster".
Click Below Image(s) for Full Size:
NGC 7129 is situated close to the northern celestial pole and, as such, it is visible for most part of the year from the north
NGC 7261 is an Open Cluster in the Cepheus constellation.
Given its visual magnitude of 8.4, NGC 7261 is visible with the help of a binocular with a 40-50mm aperture or a small telescope.
NGC 7261 is best observed in the fall when Cepheus is high in the night sky.
Platesolve
NGC 7261 Open Cluster