Open Cluster NGC 1647
History
This open cluster was discovered by William Herschel on 15 February 1784 and listed as VIII 8. He described it as «A cluster of considerably large very coarsely scattered stars perhaps a projection point of the milky way.» [463] Dreyer added it 1888 as NGC 1647 to the «New General Catalogue» using John Herschels description for GC 896: «Cluster, very large, stars Large, scattered.» [313]
Physical Properties
| Designation | NGC 1647 |
| Type | OCL (II2m) |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 04h 45m 42.2s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | +19° 07' 09" |
| Diameter | 40 arcmin |
| Visual magnitude | 6.4 mag |
| Metric Distance | 0.539 kpc |
| Dreyer Description | Cl, vL, st L, sc |
| Identification, Remarks | WH VIII 8; GC 896; OCL 457 |
Finder Chart
The open cluster NGC 1647 is located in the constellation Taurus. The best observation time is July to April, when it is highest at night.
