🌟 A Visually Unique Open Cluster
NGC 7789 isn’t just a scatter of stars—it forms a delicate, swirling pattern that resembles the petals of a rose. The visual impression is enhanced by dark voids between groupings of stars, creating graceful, curving lanes that make the cluster feel more like a galactic painting than a random grouping.

🌟 Exceptionally Rich in Stars
Containing several hundred stars, NGC 7789 offers a dense and detailed field even at moderate magnifications. It’s more populous than many better-known clusters, and its richness becomes increasingly apparent as aperture and magnification increase, making it a rewarding object for extended study.

🌟 Perfect for Autumn Observing
Cassiopeia rides high in the sky during October through January, giving NGC 7789 an ideal placement for evening observation. The cluster’s altitude reduces atmospheric distortion, and its location near the Milky Way ensures a star-rich backdrop that adds to its beauty.

🌟 Deep Sky Value in Modest Apertures
Though it shines brightest in medium to large telescopes, even 4–6 inch scopes can reveal a great deal of its structure under dark skies. Observers with larger instruments will enjoy exploring the fine detail, while those with smaller scopes will still appreciate its shape and density.

🌟 A Tribute to a Pioneer of Astronomy
Observing NGC 7789 connects you with history—it was discovered by Caroline Herschel, one of the earliest female astronomers. Knowing that you’re observing the same rose-like pattern that she first charted over 240 years ago adds a personal and historical dimension to the experience.

🌟 Often Overlooked, Always Rewarding
Despite its beauty, NGC 7789 is frequently skipped over in favor of brighter Messier objects in Cassiopeia. Adding it to your list offers a chance to step beyond the familiar and discover a deeply aesthetic and underappreciated treasure of the northern sky.

To star-hop to NGC 7789, begin in the constellation Cassiopeia, which forms a distinct “W” or “M” shape depending on its orientation in the sky. Your goal is to use this shape as a pointer to guide your way.

Find the constellation Cassiopeia and the end star Caph (+2.27).

If you have binoculars, this would be a good time to get them out in order to learn the way to NGC 7789. Point to Caph. Then, using the diagram below, hop to the double stars at A, then the double stars at B and finally the triple stars at C. NGC 7789 is halfway between B and C although it may be tough to see it. Now repeat this with your telescope finder or a very low- powered eyepiece. Look for a faint, hazy glow—almost like a soft smudge—surrounded by field stars. Once centered, gradually increase magnification and let your eyes adapt. The cluster will begin to resolve into countless faint stars forming its signature rose-like swirl.

✅ Use a Medium or Large Telescope
NGC 7789 is rich with faint stars, so a telescope with at least 6 inches of aperture is ideal. Larger scopes reveal hundreds of stars and enhance the “rose” pattern that gives the cluster its nickname.

✅ Observe with Moderate Magnification
Begin around 60x to 100x to frame the whole cluster. This magnification brings out its spiral-like structure while keeping most of the cluster in view. Higher power can help resolve the denser core.

✅ Aim for Dark, Transparent Skies
While not extremely faint, NGC 7789 benefits from Bortle 1–4 skies to show its full richness. Under dark conditions, the contrast between stars and background enhances the floral pattern.

✅ Let Your Eyes Adjust Fully
Spend at least 20 minutes under the stars to allow your eyes to adapt. Dark adaptation makes fainter stars pop and brings out subtle structure that’s otherwise easy to miss.

✅ Sweep Slowly When Finding It
NGC 7789 isn’t far from Beta Cassiopeiae, but it doesn’t stand out immediately in a crowded star field. Use a finder chart or app and move your scope slowly across the region to catch the dense glow.

✅ Take Time to Soak in the Structure
Once centered, don’t rush. The beauty of NGC 7789 comes from the delicate, swirling lanes of stars. Let your eyes wander across the cluster—you’ll begin to notice graceful curves and dark gaps that make the “rose” bloom.

❌ Naked Eye
To the naked eye, NGC 7789 is not visible, even under excellent dark-sky conditions. It lies in the dense star fields of Cassiopeia but lacks the brightness or concentrated light needed to stand out without optical aid.

⚠️ Binoculars
Through binoculars, NGC 7789 appears as a faint, misty patch of light. It may be difficult to separate from the background Milky Way without steady hands or a tripod, but the subtle glow hints at its true richness and invites closer inspection with a telescope.

⚠️ Small Telescope
In a small telescope, around 3 to 4 inches in aperture, the cluster begins to take shape as a softly concentrated region of faint stars. Some of the brighter members become individually visible, and the overall glow starts to resolve into a grainy texture. The “rose” pattern remains subtle but can be sensed with averted vision.

✅ Medium Telescope
With a medium telescope of 6 to 8 inches, NGC 7789 becomes far more impressive. Dozens of stars fill the field, and the dark lanes that help form the swirling “Caroline’s Rose” pattern begin to emerge. The cluster’s structure looks rich and layered, and it becomes clear why this object is so beloved among seasoned observers.

✅ Large Telescope
In a large telescope of 10 inches or more, NGC 7789 is stunning. Hundreds of stars are sharply resolved, and the contrast between bright stellar curves and dark voids gives the clear impression of rose-like petals. The full richness and depth of the cluster come to life, making it a highlight of the autumn sky.

🟣 In Bortle 1–2 skies, NGC 7789 is striking and richly detailed. Its dense field of stars and signature “rose petal” swirls are vivid, with excellent contrast between star chains and dark lanes, giving the full impression of its floral nickname.

🔵 In Bortle 3–4 skies, the cluster still shows impressive structure. Most stars remain visible, and the spiral-like pattern is discernible, though the background glow softens the contrast slightly. It remains a highly rewarding view.

🟡 In Bortle 5–6 skies, NGC 7789 loses some of its finer texture. The central region still resolves well, but the outer lanes blend more into the background. The rose shape is more subtle, and faint stars are harder to trace.

🟠 In Bortle 7+ skies, light pollution washes out much of the cluster’s beauty. Only the brighter stars show clearly, and the overall shape becomes harder to recognize. The intricate pattern is mostly lost without significant aperture or filters.