The Coathanger Cluster

How to find the Coathanger asterism: about 8 degrees NW of the W end of the arrow-shaped Sagitta constellation. Quiet and peaceful, I have sat many a nights in awe at the night sky just gazing at this simple group of stars.The asterism is made up of 10 stars ranging from 5th to 7th magnitude which form the conspicuous "coathanger", a straight line of 6 stars with a "hook" of 4 stars on the south side. An additional 30 or so fainter stars are sometimes considered to be associated as well.Under a dark sky, Collinder 399 can be seen with the naked eye as an unresolved patch of light; simple binoculars or a telescope at very LOW power are usually needed in order to view the "coathanger" asterism. It is best found by slowly sweeping across the Milky Way along an imaginary line from the bright star Altair toward the even brighter star Vega. About one third of the way toward Vega, the Coathanger should be spotted easily against a darker region of the Milky Way. It's best seen right now in July-August and north of 20° north latitude it is displayed upside down when it is at its highest point.

It all has to do with a dream of mine.