NGC 7788 is an open star cluster located in the constellation Cassiopeia. It was discovered by the German-British astronomer William Herschel on November 5, 1787. Unlike galaxies, which are vast collections of billions of stars, open clusters like NGC 7788 are smaller groups of stars that formed together from the same cloud of gas and dust.
This cluster is situated around 7,600 light-years away from Earth and is part of the Milky Way galaxy. It contains a relatively small but dense collection of stars, which are bound together by gravity. Due to its location in the rich star fields of Cassiopeia, NGC 7788 is often studied along with nearby clusters such as NGC 7790, which lies close to it.
Astronomers study NGC 7788 to understand stellar evolution, as open clusters provide insight into how stars form and age. The stars in this cluster are thought to be relatively young, with an estimated age of around 1.6 billion years. Studying these stars helps scientists determine how clusters gradually disperse over time.
NGC 7788 can be observed through moderate-sized telescopes, appearing as a small, concentrated grouping of stars against the backdrop of the Milky Way. It is best seen during autumn and winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Amateur astronomers enjoy observing this cluster because of its proximity to other interesting celestial objects in Cassiopeia.
Understanding NGC 7788 adds to our knowledge of how star clusters evolve and interact with their surroundings. Its discovery by Herschel highlights the long history of astronomical exploration that continues to this day.
Capture Details:
Telescope: Celestron Nexstar 8se
Filter: Optolong L-Pro
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro
Mount: Skywatcher EQM-35 Pro
Total Time: 88 x 60 sec 1 hour 28 minutes
Capture Software: N.I.N.A. BackyardEOS
Guiding: PHD2, ZWO asi120mm mini ZWO OAG-L
Processed in: PixInsight
Additional details on Astrobin.com.