BRITTNEY MILLER

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.

Observation Details

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

Date: 2026-08-16

Time: 22:09 – 22:44 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: I 2 m n – strong central concentration, moderate range in brightness, a medium-rich population of stars, and associated nebulosity

Description: NGC 6520 is a small, compact open cluster with a noticeable concentration of stars toward the center. The cluster contains a mix of brighter blue-white stars and many fainter stars packed closely together. One of my favorite features is the nearby dark nebula Barnard 86, which creates a dark patch against the dense star field and makes the cluster stand out even more.

Observation Details

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

Date: 2026-08-16

Time: 21:20:59 – 23:39:11 MST

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

Instrument: Seestar S50 – EQ mode, Star Adventurer 2i

Image capture details: 198x30s subs, mosaic mode, 99 minute integration

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: II 2 m n – moderate central concentration, moderate range in brightness, a medium-rich population of stars, and associated nebulosity

Description: NGC 6530 is a loose open cluster embedded within the Lagoon Nebula, Messier 8. The cluster contains a mix of bright and faint blue-white stars scattered across the surrounding nebulosity. I especially like how the stars of the cluster stand out against the glowing gas and dark dust of the Lagoon Nebula, making this much more interesting than the cluster alone.

Observation Details

Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)

Date: 2025-08-7

Time: 21:19 – 23:06 ET

Sky conditions: Seeing – Good, Transparency – Mag 4, Bortle 8

Instrument: Celestron C8, Optolong L-eNhance Filter, 0.63x SCT Corrector, ASI533MC Pro

Image capture details: 90x60s subs, 1 hour 30 minute integration

Software: ASIDeepStack, PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: I 2 r – strong central concentration, moderate range in brightness, and a rich population of stars

Description: Messier 11 is an incredibly rich and compact open cluster surrounded by the dense star field of the Milky Way. The cluster is made up of hundreds of mostly blue and white stars, with a few brighter yellow and orange stars scattered throughout. The brightest stars form a V-shape that resembles a flock of flying ducks, although this shape is much easier to see visually through an eyepiece than in my image. I especially like how the tightly packed blue and white stars of the cluster stand out against the warmer, golden stars surrounding it.

Observation Details

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

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

Time: 23:46:55 – 00:45:43 MST

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

Instrument: Seestar S50 – EQ mode, Star Adventurer 2i

Image capture details: 80x30s subs, 40 minute integration

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: III 2 m – no noticeable central concentration, moderate range in brightness, and a medium-rich population of stars

Description: NGC 6709 is a loose open cluster with stars scattered irregularly across the field and little concentration toward the center. Several brighter stars stand out among the many fainter members, with a few small groups and patterns visible throughout the cluster. The edges aren’t very well defined, so the cluster gradually blends into the surrounding star field.

Observation Details

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

Date: 2026-08-17, 2026-08-18

Time: 22:22:58 – 01:07:42 MST

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

Instrument: Seestar S50 – EQ mode, Star Adventurer 2i

Image capture details: 218x30s subs, mosaic mode, 109 minute integration

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: III 1 r – no noticeable central concentration, little range in brightness, and a rich population of stars

Description: NGC 6811 is a rich open cluster made up of many similarly bright stars with very little concentration toward the center. One of its most noticeable features is the darker, relatively empty area near the center, which gives it the nickname the “Hole in the Cluster.” I especially like its unusual ring-like appearance, with many of the stars appearing to surround the darker center.

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.

Observation Details

Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)

Date: 2025-03-12

Time: 20:14 – 21:34 ET

Sky conditions: Seeing – Average , Transparency – Mag 4

Instrument: Apertura 60mm FPL-53 Doublet APO Refractor @ f/6 (native) – Aperture: 60mm, Focal Length: 360mm

Mount: Celestron Advanced VX

Imaging Equipment: ASI174MM-mini guide camera, UV/IR cut filter, ZWO ASI678MC

Image type and sensor: ZWO ASI 678MC – CMOS, IMX678 1/1.8″ sensor

Image capture details: 78x60s subs, 1 hour and 18 minute integration, 30 each of flats, darks, and bias

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: I 2 m – strong central concentration, moderate range in brightness, and a medium-rich population of stars

Description: Messier 48 is a large open cluster with a mix of bright and faint stars spread across the cluster. Several brighter blue-white stars stand out among the fainter members, along with a few warmer yellow and orange stars. The cluster has a loose, irregular appearance, with several small groups and patterns of stars that stand out throughout the field.

Observation Details

Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)

Date: 2025-03-18

Time: 20:22 – 23:01 ET

Sky conditions: Seeing – Average, Transparency – Mag 4, Bortle 8

Instrument: SeeStar S50

Image capture details: 10s subs, 1 hour integration

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: II 2 m – moderate central concentration, moderate range in brightness, and a medium-rich population of stars

Description: Messier 44 is a large and loosely scattered open cluster with several bright stars that stand out across the cluster. The stars are spread out over a wide area, with a mix of blue-white, yellow, and orange stars that give the cluster a lot of color. I especially like the pairs and small groups of stars scattered throughout the cluster, which give it a very different appearance from more compact open clusters like Messier 11.

Observation Details

Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)

Date: 2025-03-11

Time: 19:52 – 21:54 ET

Sky conditions: Seeing – Average, Transparency – Mag 4, Bortle 8

Instrument: Apertura 60mm FPL-53 Doublet APO Refractor @ f/6 (native) – Aperture: 60mm, Focal Length: 360mm

Mount: Celestron Advanced VX

Imaging Equipment: ASI174MM-mini guide camera, UV/IR cut filter, ZWO ASI678MC

Image type and sensor: ZWO ASI 678MC – CMOS, IMX678 1/1.8″ sensor

Image capture details: 120x60s subs, 2 hour integration, 20 each of flats, darks, and bias

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: II 2 r – moderate central concentration, moderate range in brightness, and a rich population of stars

Description: Messier 67, also known as the King Cobra Cluster, is a rich open cluster with a dense concentration of stars toward the center that gradually becomes more scattered around the edges. The cluster contains mostly white and yellow stars, with several brighter orange stars that stand out throughout the field. I especially like the mix of colors and how the tightly packed center fades into the surrounding star field.

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.

Observation Details

Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)

Date and Time: 2025-02-04

Time: 21:37 – 23:07 ET

Sky conditions: Seeing – Average , Transparency – Mag 5

Instrument: Apertura 60mm FPL-53 Doublet APO Refractor @ f/6 (native) – Aperture: 60mm, Focal Length: 360mm

Mount: Celestron Advanced VX

Eyepiece: N/A (Imaging)

Reticle Device: N/A

Imaging Equipment: ZWO ASI224MC, UV/IR cut filter, Apertura 32mm guide scope, ASI174MM-mini guide camera

Image type and sensor: ZWO ASI 224MC – CMOS, IMX224 1/3″ sensor

Image capture details: 83 minute integration, 83x60s, Gain – 100, Flats – 20, Darks – 30, Bias – 30
Software: PixInsight, Photoshop

Trumpler Class: II 2 m – moderate central concentration, moderate range in brightness, and a medium-rich population of stars

Description: NGC 2360 is a large, rich open cluster with a moderately concentrated center. The cluster contains many similarly bright white and blue-white stars, with several brighter yellow and orange stars standing out among them. Its overall shape is somewhat irregular, and the cluster gradually becomes less dense toward the edges, blending into the surrounding star field.

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.