NGC 6910, The Rocking Horse Cluster in Cygnus
Sketch and Details by Ferenc Lovró
NGC 6910 (Open cluster)
Also known as: Rocking Horse cluster
Constellation: Cygnus
Right ascension: 20h 24m
Declination: 40° 48′
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 4/5
Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Date/time: 2009.06.19 00:00 UT
FoV: 12′
Equipment: 12″ f/5 Newtonian
This tiny little object is also known as the Rocking Horse cluster. The name says it all: it really looks like a little horse jumping around the space. Although it’s in a quite easy position, it still is a neglected object, as when it comes to Cygnus, everyone thinks of nebulae like the Veil and its companions, and the tiny shiny planetaries. Too bad, because this cluster is a real gem! Its special features are the two brightest stars of the cluster (at the front leg and the eye), that are apparently yellow, even though their spectral class suggests a rather white colour. This optical illusion is caused by the interstellar dust that is so common through Cygnus. A very important hint: you should use a fairly high magnification when looking at this object, because it’s located in a field that is rich in bright stars, which makes it harder to detect the real shape of the cluster.
Ferenc Lovró
Excellent Ferenc and new to me so thank you very much.
Dale
Ferenc,
This is true horse, indeed. I have to take a look at it. Thanks for this view.
Marek
Ferenc,
Well made sketch of the little rocking horse.
Frank