Col 399 Open Cluster

42. Col 399 Open Cluster
This large, sparse naked-eye cluster with a curious coathanger shape was not officially recognized until 1931. Yet even in the 1920's it was known as Brocchi's cluster, after the American amateur who drew up most of the AAVSO star charts. Several times every year this cluster is rediscovered by amateurs, especially the younger ones, but few of them notice another, much smaller open cluster on its eastern edge. Though having a total light only equivalent to an 11th-magnitude star, NGC 6802 appears as a delightful swarm of silver bees some 31/2' in diameter. In a 3-inch telescope it can be mistaken for a small comet.