Stunning Object

[CosMos (Rich)]

This is a beautiful system I came across many years ago and it never fails to floor me. Can you guess the name of the system and its constellation?

[CosMos (Rich)]

Ooops!! forgot the magnitudes. A = 8.0; B = 8.4; C = 10.4; D = 6.7; E = 6.6; F = 9.9

[Mick (Michael)]

Hello CosMos, STF 1659 (Stargate) in Corvus, near M104. Very beautiful cluster.

[ving (David)]

I tried to cheat but it didnt work.... nfi I am afraid

did find this site tho:
http://www.astronomical.org/portal/m...php?category=1

[Mick (Michael)]

Here's a link to some info about the stargate. Stargate

[ving (David)]

too right you are mick.
< er... deleted>

LOL
ya beat me to it

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

I remember the first time I was shown this, it still amazes me the amount of star clusters out there that resemble things. Like NGC 2169

[CosMos (Rich)]

And the winner receives...a pat on the back. I guess you have seen Struve 1664 nearby as well. Another nice system that points towards nearby M104 the Sombrero.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Haven't heard of Struve 1664 before, does it resemble a Hockey Stick?

[Mick (Michael)]

Is that Jaws?

[CosMos (Rich)]

Hockey stick it is. The mags are: A = 7.7; B = 9.2; C = 8.5; D = 8.8; E = 11.5; F = 11.6; G = 12 (estimated). All were seen from a light polluted site withan 8" scope. E and F needed 90x magnification whilst G needed 150x to pull from the background fog.

[Mick (Michael)]

I remembered to show this little gem (Stargate) to 30 school kids at a viewing night tonight and it was a hit, thanks CosMos.

[iceman (Mike)]

We were wanting to check this out at the mini star party last weekend, but noone could remember the name of it or where it was. Thanks for bumping this Mick, will have to print out the chart.

[CosMos (Rich)]

Onya Mick and Mike (sounds like a comedy act!) this object should be shouted from the roof tops and shared with everyone.