Optical: MDM/R. Fesen

The supernova remnant, Cassiopeia A (Cas A), is not an object you can easily view with a backyard telescope, because the remnant is not very bright in visible light. However, you can star-hop to Cas A by the following method:

Your guide stars are delta and gamma Cassiopeia. Imagine the line which connects these two stars and extend this imaginary line from delta to gamma, but three times that distance past gamma. Aim your telescope a hair south of that point, and that is the home of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. Note, the R.A. and Dec of this object is: Right Ascension 23h 23m 25.8s, Declination +58º 8' 53.4" if you prefer to use setting circles.

Revised: March 03, 2009