Between Perseus and Cassiopeia, binoculars separate two adjacent open clusters that can merge into one hazy patch to unaided eyes. Late autumn and early winter are especially useful northern viewing seasons; confirm tonight’s position on a map.

It beats the Coathanger for that paired structure. The Beehive takes the higher place for its broad, scattered display. Do not judge the clusters by the photograph’s star count: sky brightness and steady holding change what you can pick out.

Sources: NASA.

Image: Stephen Rahn · CC0. Resized and JPEG compressed; original license retained.