Open Cluster NGC 6885
History
On 9 September 1784 William Herschel discovered a cluster which he logged as VIII 20 and measured its position from star 18 Vulpeculae (1 minute following, 27 arcminutes south). He noted «A cluster of coarsely scattered stars, not rich.» In the following night he sweeped again over the same field of view, logged a cluster as VIII 22, measuring its position again from star 18 Vulpeculae (1m 12s following, 12 arcminutes south). [463] The coordinates of VIII 20 point directly to the cluster known today as NGC 6885. But for VIII 22 there's nothing on that position. Obviously he observed the same cluster twice and made an error of 15 arcminutes in declination. [204]
John Herschel observed this cluster on 18 August 1828 (sweep 167) and identified it with VIII 20 and listed it as number 2071 in his «Slough Catalogue» of 1833. He noted: «Splendid cluster. More than fills the field; loose and straggling; poor in stars, one = 6.7 m whose place is given; the rest 9, 10, 11.» [466]
Physical Properties
According to WEBDA the distance to the cluster is 597 pc and the age 1.44 billion (109) years. [138] Simbad lists two different distances: 444 pc (from 2017) and 1453 pc (from 2021, based on Gaia DR2) [145]
| Name | RA | Dec | Type | Dim | MD | Dreyer Description | Identification, Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGC 6882 | 20 11 40.6 | +26 32 54 | dup | 5 | Cl, P, lC | WH VIII 22; GC 4557; NGC 6885; OCL 152; with 20 Vul | |
| NGC 6885 | 20 11 40.6 | +26 32 54 | OCL (*Grp) | 5 | 0.600 | Cl, vB, vL, Ri, lC, st 6…11 | WH VIII 20; h 2071; GC 4559; NGC 6882; OCL 132; with 20 Vul |
Finder Chart
Open star cluster NGC 6885 is located in the constellation Vulpecula. The best observation time is March to December.
