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Object Information:

 

Messier 52, NGC 7654

 

Distance - Estimates range from 3,000 to 7,000 light years

 

The dense grouping of stars in the image above is known as an open cluster [sometimes also known as a "galactic cluster"]. Open clusters are believed to originate in the same general area of space from the same local gas clouds. The dense grouping of stars seen above are all about the same approximate distance from us. It is believed that eventually the component stars of open clusters slowly drift apart and disperse.

 

For more information on open star clusters see:

 

http://www.seds.org/messier/open.html

 

http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m052.html

 

Imaged at:

 

Hole-in-the-Wall Campground, Mojave National Preserve, California

 

Equipment:

 

Optics - RC Optical Systems 10" Ritchey-Chrétien optical tube at f/9,

Mount - Astro-Physics 1200 GTO,

Camera - Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG) ST-2000XM CCD,

 

Exposure Information:

 

October 6, 2005

 

RGB Image - R - 10 x 1 min., G - 10 x 1 min., B - 10 x 1 min.,

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