NGC 146
| NGC 146 | |
|---|---|
 Location of NGC 146 | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Cassiopeia |
| Right ascension | 00h 33m 03.9s[1] |
| Declination | +63° 18′ 32″[1] |
| Distance | ~10000 (~3000) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.1[2] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Estimated age | <10 Myr |
| Other designations | OCl 299, C 0030+630[2] |
NGC 146 is a small open cluster in the constellation Cassiopeia. It was discovered by John Herschel in 1829 using his father's 18.7 inch reflecting telescope.[3]
Location
NGC 146 is fairly easy to locate in the sky, being half a degree away from the bright star Kappa Cassiopeiae. However, spotting the cluster itself is difficult because of its low apparent magnitude of 9.1. Its relatively high declination of about 63° means it is not visible for below 27° S. Its distance is estimated at about 3030 parsecs (9880 light years ),[4] but may be around 3500 pc (11000 ly) away.[5]
Characteristics
The cluster is at most 10 million years old, as there are numerous B-type main sequence stars and pre-main-sequence stars but relatively few evolved supergiants. Among its most massive stars are two Herbig Be stars.[5]
References
- 1 2 "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 0146. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- 1 2 "NGC 146". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ↑ "Catalogo NGC/IC online - result for NGC 146". Retrieved July 23, 2013.
- ↑ "WEBDA page for open cluster NGC 146".
- 1 2 Subramaniam, A.; Sahu, D. K.; Sagar, R.; Vijitha, P. (September 2005). "NGC 146: a young open cluster with a Herbig Be star and intermediate mass pre-main sequence stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 440 (2): 511‐522. arXiv:astro-ph/0505314. Bibcode:2005A&A...440..511S. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20052683. Retrieved July 23, 2013.