Wild Duck Open Cluster in Scutum

Exceptionally fine open cluster on the edge of hte Scutum star cloud. This cluster resembles a globular cluster but is really a cluster of around 500 stars. This cluster is around 5500 light years away and composed of many giant stars. The age of this cluster is calculated to be 500 million years. It has a diameter of about 15 light years (about 35')

Images taken with TEC-140 Telescope mounted on Losmandy G11 mount. Camera used was a Canon EOS20D used at prime focus.

Five 1 minute exposures dark, flat, and bias compensated; aligned and stacked; background removed and Digitaly Developed in ImagesPlus 2.75 Beta 1