M52 – Open Cluster in Cassiopeia

Telescope: Light Switch 8 @ f/6.2 (Optec 0.62x focal reducer), altaz mode

Camera: Full Spectrum Modified Canon 600D, interval timer

Filter: GSO IR Blocking Filter

Guide scope: None

Exposure: 22x10sec, ISO 1600, saved as RAW

Darks: Internal (Long Exposure Noise Reduction On)

Flats: 32×1/10sec, Tee shirt flats taken at dusk

Average Light Pollution: Red zone, Bortle 8, fair transparency

Lensed Sky Quality Meter: 18.5

Stacking: Mean with a 1-sigma clip.

White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic

Software: Deep Sky Stacker, Nebulosity, Photoshop

M52 is a relatively bright open cluster just to the west of Cassiopeia. Visually, M52 appears as a fine patch of stardust in small telescopes while larger telescopes show a broad expanse of fainter stars. The faint, rich field to the right of M52 is the open cluster Czernik 43.

M52 is currently high in the northeast after sunset.