NGC 422

NGC 422 is an open cluster located in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) in the constellation Tucana. It was discovered by James Dunlop in 1826. It is notable for its relative youth compared to many other star clusters in the SMC, estimated to be between 10 and 100 million years old. This young age allows astronomers to study the evolution of stars in an environment that is different from our own Milky Way galaxy, specifically the lower metallicity environment of the SMC. NGC 422 is a popular target for astronomical observation, particularly for studies of star formation and stellar populations. Because it is an open cluster, its stars are relatively loosely bound by gravity compared to globular clusters.