C8
NGC 559
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Survey Image
Loading survey image…
About C8
Description
NGC 559 is a moderately rich open cluster in Cassiopeia, about 3,700 light-years away. It contains roughly 100 stars spread across 4 arcminutes, with the brightest members at about magnitude 10.
Observing Tips
Requires at least a 4-inch telescope to resolve. Located in the rich Milky Way star fields of Cassiopeia. Medium magnification (80-120x) works best. Circumpolar from northern mid-latitudes, best placed in autumn evenings.
History
Discovered by William Herschel on November 9, 1787. It is one of many open clusters Herschel cataloged in the star-rich region of Cassiopeia.
Fun Facts
NGC 559 is estimated to be about 200 million years old, making it a middle-aged open cluster. Studies have identified several red giant stars among its members.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: Meli thev. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026