NGC 1883 - Open Star Cluster
NGC 1883 is an open star cluster in the constellation Auriga, which has an apparent magnitude of 12.0mag and a size of 5'. The cluster was discovered
in 1786 by F.W. Herschel.
The distance to NGC 1883 is given as 15,600 light-years, moreover it is located 1,600 light-years above the galactic plane. The age was determined to be 1.2
billion years. Thus it is one of the most distant middle-aged star clusters. The diameter can be calculated from the apparent size to 22 light-years. The brightest
stars of NGC 1883 are 12.1mag bright, which corresponds to an absolute magnitude of M= -1.3mag or 280 solar luminosities. Only 10 stars are brighter than
13mag, most of the stars are even fainter than 15mag. On an area of 1x1' one can find about 10-12 stars.
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In my 20" f/3 telescope NGC 1883 appears small, oval and moderately concentrated. It stands out very well from the surrounding area. At a magnification of
270x about 15-20 faint stars can be seen, the background appears grainy. The cluster is quite bright overall, making it an easy object to spot.
Just south of the cluster a bright star can be found and the surrounding area is rich in stars.
