Like Akarsh, I will take a trip down memory lane.
This beauty in Cassiopeia was in fact the very first object for which I ever logged an observation! It wasn't much, a 5" Mak under Moonlit skies in October 2003, with me attempting to make a start at a methodical approach to stargazing. This is what I noted:
The shape of the cluster is recognizable from images, although only the brighter stars are visible.
There. With that my observing log was born.
Fast forward to present day... night. Since 2003 I have 4 entries in my log for this cluster. Most recently in my latest observing run, 19-20 November 2022. An hour-long session from my backyard, tackling STF double stars in the Queen. With STF131, I also logged the cluster. 14" SCT @ 178x / 27':
Observed simultaneously with the double star STF131 that is on the NW edge of the cluster.
The cluster is quite detached but not very concentrated, consist of mainly mag. 10.5 and fainter stars. East of the middle is a notable mag. 8 star (component A of the double star BUP22). Centrally the cluster is more concentrated in a rectangular / square part with the orange mag. 8 star on the eastern edge. From the central part two notable branches are visible, towards the west and the SW.
Rated it 7/10.
m103-1.jpg m103-2.jpg
Here is the guide for this week's object.
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