Observation Details

Location: Buckeye, AZ (33.3705° N, -112.5836° W)

Date: 2026-08-16, 2026-08-17

Time: 23:02 – 00:47 MST

Sky conditions: Seeing – Good, Transparency – Mag 5, Bortle 5

Instrument: C8, UV/IR Cut filter, ASI533MC Pro

Image capture details: 30x60s subs, mosaic mode, 30 minute integration

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: III 2 p – little apparent concentration, moderate range in brightness, and relatively few stars

Description: NGC 6885 is a loose open cluster with stars scattered irregularly across the field and very little concentration toward the center. Several brighter blue-white stars stand out among the fainter stars, especially the bright star 20 Vulpeculae near the center of the cluster. The cluster blends into the surrounding Milky Way star field, making its boundaries somewhat difficult to distinguish.

Open Cluster Observing Program page: https://www.astroleague.org/open-cluster-observing-program/

Record the location (Latitude and Longitude), date and time, Seeing and Transparency, telescope aperture, power, and a brief description of the observed object, the Trumpler classification, and an image of any 100 (Silver Level) or 125 (Gold Level) and include the equipment and processing used for clusters from the lists.

Silver Level, Imaging:

1. Image 100 of the open clusters on the provided lists.
2. Classify all 100 of the imaged open clusters using the Trumpler classification system.
3. All observing techniques may be used under the basic program, including go-to, computer-controlled, star-hopping, digital setting circles, imaging, etc.​

Gold Level, Imaging:

1. Image 125 of the open clusters on the provided lists.
2. Classify all 125 of the imaged open clusters using the Trumpler classification system.
3. All observing techniques may be used under the advanced program, including Go-To, computer-controlled, star-hopping, digital setting circles, imaging, remote telescopes, etc.