Several very bright stars are scattered throughout the field of view, with many fainter ones behind them. Of the four brightest stars, two have a reddish-orange hue, one is reddish-white, and one is bluish-white.

C71 (NGC 2477)

Caldwell 71 is an open cluster, a loosely bound collections of stars. However, it is relatively compact and strikingly spherical, so it is easily mistaken for a globular cluster. The loose open cluster NGC 2451 appears near it, and both clusters can fit in the same field of view with binoculars or a low-power telescope.

Credits: NASA, ESA, and T. von Hippel (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
Download Share

Tags

Image CreditNASA, ESA, and T. von Hippel (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
Size1024x1036px