IC4665 - Ophiuchus

IC4665 - Cúmulo del Enjambre del verano - en la IA

IC 4665 is a small, bright open cluster located in the constellation Ophiuchus. Here's a breakdown of its key features:

• Location: Ophiuchus constellation (easily found near Beta Ophiuchi)

• Distance: Approximately 1,400 light-years from Earth

• Age: Relatively young, estimated to be around 30 to 40 million years old

• Notable Stars: Contains about 30 bright stars. The brightest member is the star HD 165246 (also known as SAO 141361), a blue-white main sequence star.

• Visibility: Visible with the naked eye under dark skies, and a beautiful sight through binoculars or a small telescope.

• Catalog Designations: IC 4665 (Index Catalogue), Collinder 349, Melotte 177

Why it's interesting:

• Easy to observe: Its brightness and compact size make it a good target for amateur astronomers.

• Young cluster: Its relatively young age allows astronomers to study star formation and evolution in a cluster that hasn't yet dispersed.

• Part of a larger complex: IC 4665 may be associated with the slightly older Collinder 350 cluster and the Upper Scorpius OB association.

Observing tips:

• Best time to view: Summer months in the Northern Hemisphere (June-August) when Ophiuchus is high in the sky.
• Look for: A concentration of bright, blue-white stars in a small area.
• Binoculars/Telescope: Even a pair of binoculars will reveal many stars in the cluster. A small telescope will resolve even more stars.

In summary, IC 4665 is a rewarding open cluster to observe, especially for beginners. Its brightness and rich star field make it a captivating celestial object.