NGC 188
Open Cluster & Galactical Cirrus
NGC 188 (also known as Caldwell 1) is an open cluster in the constellation Cepheus. It was discovered by John Herschel in 1825. Unlike most open clusters that drift apart after a few million years because of the gravitational interaction of our Milky Way galaxy, NGC 188 lies far above the plane of the galaxy and is one of the most ancient of open clusters known, at approximately 6.8 billion years old.
NGC 188 is very close to the North Celestial Pole, under five degrees away, and in the constellation of Cepheus at an estimated 5,000 light-years' distance, this puts it slightly above the Milky Way's disc and further from the center of the galaxy than the Sun.
The cluster is embedded in clouds of galactical cirrus (thin molecular clouds that are diffusely illuminated by the Milky Way).
NGC 188 is very close to the North Celestial Pole, under five degrees away, and in the constellation of Cepheus at an estimated 5,000 light-years' distance, this puts it slightly above the Milky Way's disc and further from the center of the galaxy than the Sun.
The cluster is embedded in clouds of galactical cirrus (thin molecular clouds that are diffusely illuminated by the Milky Way).
Nominated for 
Top Pick on Astrobin
Top Pick on AstrobinImage Details
| Date |
March 17, 2022 & January 24, 2024 |
| LOCATion |
Hannover (Germany) |
| Sky Quality |
Bortle 5 |
| Telescope |
Celestron RASA 8 (203/400 f/2) |
| Mount |
Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro |
| Main Camera |
ZWO ASI 2600 MC Pro Gain 100, Offset 18, -10° |
| Focuser |
Celestron Motorfocus |
| Exposure |
RGB: 200 × 120″ (6h 40′) & 305 × 60″ (5h 5′) Total: 11h 45′ |
| Guiding |
ZWO ASI 120MM, PHD2 |
| Calibration |
Flats, Darks, Darkflats |
| Software |
N.I.N.A., EQMod |
| Other |
Artesky Filter Holder |
| Processing | Astropixelprocessor, Photoshop, Pixinsight |
Gallery
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NGC 6914
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IC 447
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Interstellar Shells
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Orion Nebula
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Regulus & Dwarf Galaxy
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Sh2-140
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Sh2-187
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NGC 2403
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NGC 654
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Coathanger, Loch Ness a.o.
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Ghost of Cassiopeia
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Bode's Galaxy
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Butterfly Nebula (IC 1318)
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NGC 3184
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M 38 in HaRGB
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Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
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NGC 7822
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Pinwheel Galaxy
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Cone Nebula
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Aurora
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NGC 4151 & 4145
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Cave Nebula
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NGC 4725, 4747 & 4712
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The Crescent Nebula
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Lion Nebula
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M 13
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Horsehead Nebula (SHO)
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M 35 & NGC 2158
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Sh2-134 Widefield
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NGC 5033 & Friends
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Clamshell Nebula
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The Dark Mermaid
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Loch Ness Nebula
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Heart & Soul Nebula
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Iris Nebula
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Elephant's Trunk Nebula
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NGC 3718
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Flaming Star Nebula
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IC 410
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Andromeda Galaxy
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Leo Triplet
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Jellyfish Nebula
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M 3
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h and χ Persei (HaRGB)
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VDB 14 & 15
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Northamerica Nebula
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M 106
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Sh2-120 & NGC 7031
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NGC 188
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Tulip Nebula
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Markarian's Chain
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Wizard Nebula
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Bubble & Lobster Claw Nebula
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Copernicus
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Mare Imbrium
