Observations of The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)

NGC 422

NGC 422 is a small, 1' diameter open cluster on the northwestern edge of the SMC. It is located about 8' west of NGC411. The cluster has a low surface brightness making it a difficult object for a smaller telescope. The cluster does not resolve, even through the 20" scope. Its position on the edge of the cloud reduces the sky background, so the clusters edge is easy to discern. There are no stars scattered over the face of the cluster, but there does appear to be a slight concentration in the core of the cluster. The use of an OIII filter did not reveal any associated nebulae.