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• RA: 01:19.1
• Dec: +58:20
• Magnitude: 6.4
• Distance: ~9,300 ly
• Size:  13.0 arc min
• Constellation:  Cassiopeia

• Scope: 8" SCT at f/10
• Autoguider:  ST-4 in faint mode
• Sky conditions:   good transparency and moderate seeing
• Film: Kodak Supra 400
• Exposure:  25 minutes
• Date:  October 2, 2003

Comments:  This turned out to be a much poorer night than expected.  Not only was it cold (low in the low 20s) but the seeing was not very good.  This open cluster in Cassiopeia is one that lend itself to seeing figures in random patterns.  North is down and East is right in this view.  One of the popular interpretations of the shape is that of a stick figure ready to great you.  The two prominent stars at the cluster's southeastern end mark the figure's gaping eyes; two chains of stars on the northeastern and southwestern sides of the cluster's body extend outward like wide-open arms; and two isolated suns at the cluster's northwestern end mark the figure's comfortably spaced feet.  NGC457 is also listed in the Caldwell Catalog as C13.