NGC 188

NGC 188
NGC 188
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation	Cepheus
Right ascension	00^h 48^m 26^s[1]
Declination	+85° 15.3′[1]
Distance	5,400 ly[2] (1.66 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	10.0 [3]
Apparent dimensions (V)	15′
Physical characteristics
Radius	unknown
Other designations	Cl Melotte 2,[1] Caldwell 1

NGC 188 is an open cluster in the constellation Cepheus. It was discovered by John Herschel in 1825. Unlike most open clusters that drift apart after a few million years because of the gravitational interaction of our galaxy, NGC 188 lies far above the plane of the galaxy and is one of the most ancient of open clusters known, at approximately 5 billion years old.

NGC 188 is very close to the North Celestial Pole, under five degrees away, and in the constellation of Cepheus at an estimated 5,000 light year distance, this puts it slightly above the Milky Way's disc and further from the center of the galaxy than the Sun.

References

1. "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 188. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
2. Bonatto, C.; Bica, E.; Santos, J. F. C., Jr. (April 2005). "Spatial dependence of 2MASS luminosity and mass functions in the old open cluster NGC 188". Astronomy and Astrophysics 433 (3): 917–929. arXiv:astro-ph/0502453. Bibcode:2005A&A...433..917B. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20041113.
3. Clark, R. N. (1990). Visual Astronomy of the Deep Sky. p. 287. ISBN 0521361559.

External links

• NGC 188 at SEDS NGC objects pages
• NGC 188 at NightSkyInfo.com
• NGC 188 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images
• NGC 188 at the SIMBAD Astronomical Database.

• Ids - Bibliography - Image - B&W Image.

Coordinates: 00^h 48^m 26^s, +85° 15′ 18″