Open Cluster · Cassiopeia

C8 NGC 559

Magnitude
9.5
Season
Autumn
Difficulty
Moderate
Star-hop chart
C80.0° field0° rotation
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Imaging reference
NGC 559 (C8) Open Cluster

Observer's guide

About NGC 559

NGC 559 (C8) is catalogued as an open cluster in Cassiopeia. Its J2000 position is RA 01:29:33, Dec +63:18:05, corresponding to 22.3871 degrees RA and 63.3011 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 3,700 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 9.7 by 9.7 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 9.5. It is associated with autumn observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around October. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 78.7 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is OpC. A published radial velocity value is -77.7 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 82 bibliographic references.

At roughly 9.7 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 9.7 by 9.7 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Measurements for C8 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 22.387083° · Dec 63.301111°
SIMBAD classification
OpC
Angular extent
9.7′ × 9.7′
Position angle
Radial velocity
-77.72 km/s
Redshift
-0.00025921
Linked bibliography
82 references
Best midnight placement
October
Observable latitude range
-26.7° to 90°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

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