M39 is a large, bright and loose open star cluster located in northern Cygnus within the Milky Way, about 9 degrees north of Deneb. It is well-suited for binoculars and small-aperture telescopes. It contains only 30 known members stars spread over an area 7 arcminutes in diameter, which is small, but the cluster is close, only about 800 light years distant. Other stars within the area are situated in the background.

This cluster is best observed at lowest power because of its angular size of 32 arc minutes, which is larger than the Moon. Under good conditions, it can just be glimpsed with the unaided eye.

IC 5146 - Cocoon Nebula and Surrounding Area, telelens photograph.