The Coathanger (also known as Brocchi's Cluster), originally thought to be a gravitationally bound open cluster, is now known to be an asterism, a random grouping of stars such as the Big Dipper. A recent study based on data collected by the Hipparcos satellite showed that only six of the ten stars forming the "coathanger" are part of a true cluster. It is in the middle of the Milky Way and can be easily seen with binoculars.

Also appeared on “Starship Asterisk,” the main discussion venue for the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD)  September 14, 2014.

Technical Information       

Date:                        August, 2014

Location:                 Green Valley, Arizona

Telescope:              Takahashi FSQ-106EDX

Camera:                  SBIG STT-8300M

Filters:                     Astrodon Gen 2

Mount:                     AstroPhysics 1200

Exposure:               RGB = 60:60:60 minutes, all unbinned

Software:                Acquisition: Maxim DL 5, TheSkyX, Pinpoint, CCD Commander

                                 Processing: CCDStack, PhotoShop CS6 with various plugins