NGC 4103 The Longtail

Capture

Seestar s50 79 stacks

Date

20 July 2026

Location

Camden, NSW

Original

2160 × 3840 px

NGC 4103 The Longtail is a young open cluster in the constellation Crux and is located approximately 5,000 light years away from Earth. The cluster is estimated to contain 421 members within its 40-50 light years radius, with only 199 being in the central part of the cluster. The cluster is not heavily populated and primarily contains stars of the 10th magnitude and lower. Through binoculars it appears as a distinct, compact, milky mist or hazy grey smudge set against the background Milky Way star field. Under dark skies you may begin to suspect a few faint pinpoint stars sparkling within the glow, but most of the cluster remains unresolved. Apparent magnitude 7.4.

See it in the star clusters gallery