NGC 663, NGC 654 and NGC 659 – open clusters in Cassiopeia
At the center of the image lies NGC 663 (also known as Caldwell 10), a young open cluster in the constellation of Cassiopeia, about 6,800 light years away. It contains roughly 400 stars and is about 20–25 million years old. Its bright blue B-type stars include several rare Be stars, which spin so fast they form gaseous rings around themselves.
In the same field of view, two smaller clusters can also be seen – NGC 654 on the right side and NGC 659 sticking to the bottom. All three are part of the Cassiopeia OB8 stellar association in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way and likely formed around the same time. Together they create a striking group of young clusters often captured in a single wide-field image.
60x120 sec under the Bortle 7 + moon 60%
Telescope: Newtonian 6" F/5 + ZWO ASI 2600 MC Pro
guiding: OAG + ZWO ASI 220
Mount: SW Wave 150i.
Driven by Stellarmate, stacked in Pixinsight.
