Open Cluster NGC 1444
History
The German-British astronomer William Herschel discovered this open cluster on 18 December 1788 with his 18.7 inch reflector telescope. He classified it as eight class (coarsely scattered clusters of stars) with the designation VIII 80 and noted: «A cluster of small stars, containing one large one, 10; 9 m 2 or 3' diameter, not rich.» [465] His son John observed it on 8 and 28 November 1831 (sweeps 384 and 386), listed it as h 308 and noted: «A cluster of about 20 stars; place that of a superb double star (Struve/Σ 446); the rest 12 m.» [466]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 1444 |
| Type | OCL (IV1p) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 03h 49m 25.0s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | +52° 39' 18" |
| Diameter | 4 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 6.6 mag |
| Metric Distance | 1.199 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | Cl of ab 30 st 12…14 |
| Identification, Remarks | WH VIII 80; h 308; GC 775; OCL 394 |
Finder Chart
The open cluster NGC 1444 can be found in the constellation Perseus. On 22 November these are in opposition to the Sun and crosses the meridian at local midnight. Visible from your location in the months: January to December.
