"Northern Cross & Coat Hanger"

The region around Cygnus (“Swan”) in the Milky Way shows the prominent asterism “Northern Cross”, with its brightest star Deneb at the top.  This region is very interesting with several deep clusters, nebulae and double-stars.  One of the most interesting sight is the “Coat Hanger” – a grouping of stars shaped like a hanger.  In this photo it can be seen towards the bottom right, located in the constellation Vulpecula.  It is also known as Brocchi’s Cluster, named after an amateur astronomer and chart maker in the 1920’s for the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO).  It is now well established that it is not a true cluster – but a chance alignment of stars.

I shot this on a clear, steady night in Bruneau Sand Dunes, near Boise, Idaho.  This is a long exposure, multiple frames – each around 160 secs at ISO 1000.  Tracked on an equatorially mounted scope to minimize star trails.

Comments welcome...