incredible when you think what went into discovering that mixed in with the
other stars.
It's images like that that really force you to ponder the absurdity and
wonder of it all.



"Anthony Ayiomamitis" wrote in message
...
Dear Group,

The oldest (or second oldest) open star cluster in our galaxy is Berkeley
17 in Auriga with an estimated age of 10.06 billion years. Lying at a
distance of 8,800 light-years away, the cluster is quite dim with a
magnitude of only 14.0.

NGC 6791 in Lyra has produced conflicting age estimates including a figure
of 10.20 billion years. As a result, there is some ambiguity as to whether
NGC 6791 or Berkeley 17 is the oldest cluster.

Further details and a photo based on two hours total exposure is available
at http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-Cluster-Berkeley-17.htm . Clicking on
the image will yield an image with better image scale for viewing.

In checking for other photos of Berkeley 17, I could only find one example
taken using film emulsion. If anyone is aware of other sample images, I
would be most interested.

Clear skies!

Anthony.