NGC 146

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]

NGC 146
Location of NGC 146
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationCassiopeia
Right ascension00h 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 designationsCr 5, OCl 299, C 0030+630[2]

Location
κ Cassiopeiae, NGC 146 and NGC 133 in optical light

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. "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 0146. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  2. "NGC 146". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  3. "Catalogo NGC/IC online - result for NGC 146". Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  4. "WEBDA page for open cluster NGC 146".
  5. 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.

Further reading
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